India, UK Share Industrial Legacy, Eye Future Collaboration: Andrew Fleming at Odisha Manufacturing Conclave

Bhubaneswar, June 18 : India and the United Kingdom share a longstanding legacy of industrialisation and innovation, and now stand poised to jointly shape the future of manufacturing through emerging technologies, British Deputy High Commissioner to East and North East India, Andrew Fleming, said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the 2nd Edition of the Odisha Manufacturing Conclave 2025, organised by the ASSOCHAM Odisha State Council in Bhubaneswar, Fleming emphasized the opportunities presented by digital transformation, green technologies, resilient supply chains, and the growing importance of critical minerals.

“With Odisha aspiring to become a major manufacturing hub, it naturally aligns as a strategic partner for the UK. Together, we can drive industrial innovation while upholding sustainability,” he stated. He also noted the UK’s global leadership in smart factory automation, sustainable supply chains, and advanced industrial engineering powered by artificial intelligence.

Themed “AI-Driven Manufacturing: Innovation, Efficiency, and Sustainable Growth,” this year’s conclave brought together policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and technology experts to chart Odisha’s roadmap to becoming a digitally advanced manufacturing powerhouse.

Odisha’s Additional Chief Secretary for Industry, Hemant Sharma, highlighted that manufacturing currently contributes 36% to the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), and the broader industry sector accounts for 53%. “We are seeing a rapid inflow of investments, and many proposals have been successfully grounded,” Sharma said, adding that the state government is bolstering industrial growth through skilled manpower development and infrastructure expansion.

Pankaj Lochan Mohanty, Chairman of the Odisha State Development Council, ASSOCHAM, emphasized the transformative role of artificial intelligence in the sector. “AI is no longer a trend but a catalyst for modern manufacturing. Odisha must evolve from being resource-rich to becoming data-rich and digitally intelligent,” he said.

The conclave also witnessed the release of the ASSOCHAM–Primus Knowledge Report, offering key insights into AI integration and best practices for manufacturing excellence.

Eminent speakers at the event discussed strategies to harness AI and policy support for sustainable growth, underlining the need for stronger collaboration between government, industry, and academia. The conclave concluded with a collective call to establish Odisha as a national leader in smart, AI-powered, and environmentally responsible manufacturing.