India–US Trade Deal To Boost Odisha Exports, Says CM Majhi
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has welcomed the proposed India–US trade agreement, saying it is expected to provide a significant boost to the state’s economy by expanding exports of handloom products, seafood and rare-earth minerals.
In a statement posted on his official X account on February 5, Majhi highlighted the opportunities the agreement could create for the state’s handloom and apparel sectors. “Whether it is Odisha’s handloom or modern ready-made garments, Odisha’s craftsmanship will now reach markets across the world due to the India–US trade agreement. Exports will become easier with reduced tariffs, which will open new avenues of employment for our weavers and handloom artisans. Odisha’s traditional attire will now create a new trend in the global arena,” he said.
The Chief Minister also pointed to the potential benefits of closer technological cooperation between India and the United States, noting that Odisha could gain a stronger role in the global semiconductor and advanced manufacturing supply chain. Referring to the state’s mineral resources, he said rising global demand for rare-earth minerals could position Odisha as a hub for advanced technological capabilities. “With the rising global demand for rare-earth minerals found in Odisha, the state will become a hub of advanced technological skills. This agreement will connect Odisha’s mineral resources with ‘Global Tech’,” he said.
Majhi further emphasised the impact of the agreement on the seafood sector, particularly for coastal communities. According to him, reduced tariffs and improved market access to the United States are expected to increase demand for products such as prawns and fish, strengthening incomes for fishermen and farmers and supporting the growth of the state’s marine economy. “The new India–US trade deal will give a new identity to Odisha’s seafood economy. The demand for Odisha’s prawns, fish, and other seafood will increase in the American market due to the tariff reductions. The income of fishermen and farmers in the coastal regions will rise because of this, and Odisha will become a major centre of the ‘Blue Economy’,” he added.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the India–US trade agreement is in the final stages of detailing, indicating that formal completion of the deal is expected soon.
