Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Monday sought US collaboration in climate change and industries sectors during a meeting with assistant secretary of state for south and central Asian affairs Nisha Desai Biswal at the secretariat here.
The Chief Minister said Orissa is one of the pioneering states in the country to prepare state action plan on climate change aiming at reducing vulnerability and enhancing adaptive capacity.
He sought to explore partnership between Orissa and the USA in various mitigation measures for climate change, sources in CMO said.
The CM also apprised Nisha about the existing industrial policy of the state and industrial infrastructure and approached her for greater cooperation from the US for investments in manufacturing sectors such as large-scale industrial and social infrastructure, smart industrial complexes, R&D facilities and technical cooperation.
Emphasising cooperation in industrial sector with US, he said the state has a vision to raise manufacturing growth by 15 per cent by 2019. The state intends to achieve growth by attracting new investments worth Rs 1.73 lakh crore and additional employment to 3.30 lakh persons.
Biswal said she was happy to visit Orissa along with her children who have great interest in the culture and heritage of the province. She said she was here to explore the opportunities available in Orissa.
The assistance secretary appreciated the efforts of the state government in strengthening preparedness and improving resilience for disaster management and lauded the government for effectively managing cyclones in the past years. Orissa’s experience in managing disasters is a good lesson for other nations.
Commenting on the industrial and economic ties between Orissa and the US, she said US intends to improve trade relations in South Asia and South-East Asia. As Orissa is strategically located in South Asia, she would like to explore various options on how to improve economic engagements between the state and the US.
