CM Majhi, Dharmendra Pradhan Launch Global FinTech Hub in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s capital city witnessed a major leap in digital innovation on Friday as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the BharatNetra initiative, an Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub.

The initiative, a collaboration between the Odisha government, Global Finance & Technology Network Singapore (GFTN), National University of Singapore, and the Asian Institute of Digital Finance, aims to transform Odisha into a global FinTech powerhouse.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha Electronics & IT Minister Shri Mukesh Mahaling, and GFTN CEO Sopnendu Mohanty attended the launch. CM Majhi hailed the initiative as a game-changer for India’s digital economy, stating it will skill over 7,000 students across all 30 districts of Odisha through certification programs designed by global institutions.

Dharmendra said that Odisha’s vision aligns with India’s national priority to skill our youth for the global digital economy. “The BharatNetra initiative will not only open pathways for employment and entrepreneurship but also strengthen India’s leadership in financial inclusion and innovation,” he added.

Majhi credited the historic visit of Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam in January for catalyzing the partnership. The Hub will host a Centre of Excellence and a Global Capability Centre (GCC) to attract financial institutions and investments. A cable landing station connecting Bhubaneswar to Singapore is also underway.

Odisha, the first state to formulate an AI Policy, is preparing dedicated FinTech and GCC policies. Majhi emphasized alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision to skill 3 crore youth with Rs 1 lakh crore investment. With 1.8 lakh tech graduates annually and 950 ITIs, Odisha is building one of India’s strongest talent pools.

The CM also announced the BharatNetra Hackathon Website and GCC+ programme, and thanked the Centre for approving two semiconductor fabrication units. “Odisha will be the Research Capital of the East,” Majhi declared.