Bhubaneswar, June 18 (UNI) British Deputy High Commissioner to East and North East India, Andrew Fleming, on Wednesday said that India and the United Kingdom share a rich legacy of industrialisation and innovation.
“Today, we stand on the brink of a new era, shaped by digital transformation, green technologies, resilient supply chains, and the growing importance of critical minerals,” Fleming said while addressing the 2nd Edition of the Odisha Manufacturing Conclave 2025, organized by the ASSOCHAM Odisha State Council.
He noted that 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 the principles of sustainability,” Fleming added.
He highlighted that the UK is currently at the forefront of smart factory automation, advanced industrial engineering, and sustainable supply chain practices — all supported by cutting-edge advancements in artificial intelligence.
This year’s conclave, themed “AI-Driven Manufacturing: Innovation, Efficiency, and Sustainable Growth,” brought together industry leaders, policymakers, technology pioneers, and academics to discuss Odisha’s roadmap toward becoming a future-ready manufacturing hub.
Odisha Additional Chief Secretary for Industry, Hemant Sharma, pointed out that manufacturing currently contributes 36 percent to the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), while the combined share of industry and manufacturing stands at 53 percent.
He emphasized that there is significant potential to increase this contribution further, which remains a key priority for the state government. “Our policies have been strategically designed to fuel this growth, and we are witnessing a rapid inflow of investments,” Sharma stated.
Sharma added that many investment proposals have not only been received but have also been successfully grounded. He further said the state government is actively supporting industries through a steady supply of skilled manpower and robust infrastructure to foster industrial growth.
Chairman of the Odisha State Development Council, ASSOCHAM, Pankaj Lochan Mohanty, underscored the need for stronger collaboration among the government, industry, and academia to enable smart and sustainable manufacturing in the state.
He said, “Artificial intelligence is no longer an emerging trend; it has become a defining catalyst of modern manufacturing. Odisha must now evolve from being resource-rich to becoming data-rich and digitally intelligent.”
The conclave also witnessed the release of the ASSOCHAM–Primus Knowledge Report, which provided key insights on AI adoption and manufacturing best practices.
Eminent speakers at the plenary session discussed how Odisha can leverage policy frameworks and cutting-edge technologies to build a future-ready manufacturing ecosystem.
Industry experts also explored how AI can promote sustainable growth and unlock new opportunities across sectors.
The conclave concluded with a resounding call for collaborative efforts to position Odisha as a national leader in AI-powered, sustainable, and intelligent manufacturing.
UNI DP PRS