Bhubaneswar: Odisha emerged as a promising investment destination for textiles, apparels, handlooms, and sericulture sector, securing investment intents worth ₹7,762 crore at the Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave-2025. The two-day event, held on Jan 28 and 29, witnessed the signing of eight MoUs and is expected to generate around 88,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
Textiles minister Pradeep Bal Samant highlighted Odisha’s efforts to position itself as a hub for sustainable and value-driven industrial growth. “The textile and handloom industry fits seamlessly into the vision of Purvodaya Bharat of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. By investing in this sector, we not only honour our rich heritage but also position eastern India as a leader in sustainable industrial growth,” he said.
Odisha govt also unveiled the Amended Odisha Apparel and Technical Textiles Policy (OATTP)-2022 and its operational guidelines, aimed at making the sector more investment-friendly and globally competitive.
Commissioner-cum-secretary of the handlooms, textiles and handicrafts department, Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, said the textiles industry’s labour-intensive nature makes it crucial for employment generation and economic growth. “The focus on pro-growth textile policies will enhance sectoral incomes and boost Odisha’s silk sector through improved processing and market linkages,” she said.
Six MoUs were signed with major textile and apparel companies, including Shri Maa Textiles, Maa Banadurga Textiles Pvt. Ltd., Pratima Agro Spinning Mills, Tilottama Proprietors, Arundhati Bandhakala, Anubhav Knitwear, and Cedra Filtration. Additionally, two MoUs were exchanged between the Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department and key organisations such as the Textiles Committee and SIDBI (on post-GI initiatives) and CSB-CTRTI/FECCD-OWO (on Modal Eco-race Conservation in sericulture).
“Not Surat, now Odisha is going to be the next textile hub. This is the first time in Odisha that Tillottma Proprietors will manufacture handwoven garments and export it. It will include weaving to packaging of garments. Garments will include mens’, womens’ and kids’ wear. There will be home furnishings made from Odisha handloom weaves,” said Sujit Meher, a textile manufacturer working from Bargarh, Boudh, and Kalahandi districts. “I hope this will have a huge impact on employment generation,” Meher added.