World Bank President Ajay Banga on Thursday met Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, with discussions centred on the state’s long-term development agenda, economic reforms and employment generation.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed Odisha’s ongoing development initiatives and explored ways to deepen cooperation between the state government and the World Bank. The interaction focused on accelerating inclusive growth, enhancing institutional capacity and strengthening governance across key sectors.
Sources said Ajay Banga praised Odisha’s development trajectory and reform-oriented approach. He emphasised the need for sustainable job creation, particularly for youth and women, and expressed satisfaction over the increasing number of jobs being generated in the state’s private sector as a result of policy-driven initiatives.
The discussions covered several priority areas, including skill development, infrastructure expansion and improvements in the social sector. Strengthening institutional mechanisms and promoting public-private partnerships were also key components of the dialogue. Senior state officials, including the Chief Secretary and the Development Commissioner, along with World Bank representatives, attended the meeting.
Sharing details on social media, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi described the meeting as productive and forward-looking. He highlighted Odisha’s flagship initiatives and reforms that have attracted investments worth Rs 2.5 lakh crore, creating significant employment opportunities, especially for youth and women. He also noted that the World Bank appreciated Odisha’s focus on skill development and initiatives such as the Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC).
Ajay Banga reaffirmed the World Bank’s continued support to Odisha through technical assistance, policy guidance and strategic partnerships. Both sides agreed to explore new avenues of collaboration aligned with “Odisha Vision 2036 & 2047: Viksit Odisha for Viksit Bharat”, aimed at accelerating growth and building a resilient and prosperous future for the state.
