East India Pitches for Bigger Role in India’s Growth

East India is emerging as a powerful contender to drive India’s future economic growth. At the CII East India Summit 2025 in Mumbai, leaders from Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal highlighted the region’s rapid GDP growth, strong exports, FDI inflows, and a booming startup ecosystem.

Officials pitched the region as the next growth engine, seeking to attract investments in manufacturing, IT, healthcare, tourism, and food processing. The push aims to create jobs, reduce migration, and unlock East India’s untapped potential.

Numbers That Highlight the Potential

• East India’s growth rate is above the national average.

• Exports from the region stand at over $14 billion.

• FDI inflows have crossed $5 billion.

• Home to 14,600+ startups, creating nearly 1.5 lakh jobs.

These numbers reinforce the region’s rising importance in India’s economic story.

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Leaders Weigh In

Shashwat Goenka, Chairman of CII Eastern Region, said East India is rich in natural resources, skilled and cost-effective labor, surplus power, and access to coastlines—making it an attractive hub for industries.

Odisha’s Deputy CM, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, emphasized investments in tourism, steel, energy, and agri-food processing.

Market Insights & Update

The growing investment pitch from East India comes at a time when India is also deepening FTA talks with the US, EU, Chile, and Peru, signaling a broader push for exports and regional development.

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