Odisha Emerging as Key Player in India’s Global Trade: Governor Kambhampati

Odisha is steadily carving its place as a vital player in India’s international trade landscape, said Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati while addressing the World Trade Day event organized by the World Trade Center Bhubaneswar on Friday.

Emphasizing the state’s immense potential, Governor Kambhampati highlighted Odisha’s renowned handlooms, handicrafts, and GI-tagged products as key assets capable of achieving global success. He stressed that with proper branding, strategic marketing, and robust logistics, these culturally rich products can make a strong impact in international markets.

He lauded the event’s theme, “Odisha – Eastern India’s Economic Engine,” calling it both timely and relevant to the state’s growing economic aspirations.

Citing recent trade milestones, the Governor noted the export of Odisha’s agricultural produce—such as drumsticks, pointed gourds, and Amrapali mangoes—to countries including the UAE, UK, France, Belgium, and Italy. This, he said, reflects the state’s increasing capabilities in the agri-export domain.

Dr Kambhampati also underscored the importance of improved connectivity through Biju Patnaik International Airport, now offering direct flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This advancement, coupled with multimodal transport systems, cold chains, and government support for MSMEs, has significantly enhanced Odisha’s export potential.

Calling international trade a “transformative force,” he said it generates employment, drives innovation, and promotes prosperity. He attributed India’s emergence as the world’s fourth-largest economy to forward-looking trade reforms, strong global partnerships, and a resilient domestic economy.

The Governor concluded by urging all stakeholders—exporters, MSMEs, logistics providers, and policymakers—to work collaboratively toward achieving a Vikshit Odisha by 2036 and contributing to a Vikshit Bharat by 2047, underscoring the crucial role of trade in this vision.