East India aims to become next growth engine, seeks major role in India’s GDP

East Indian states are seeking a larger role in shaping India’s GDP, with representatives from Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal pitching the region as the next engine of economic growth at the CII East India Summit 2025 in Mumbai.

The summit brought together state officials and industry leaders, aiming to attract Indian companies to set up factories and tap into the region’s potential.

The numbers underscore East India’s potential. The region posts a growth rate above the national average, boasts exports worth over $14 billion, sees FDI inflows crossing $5 billion, and is home to more than 14,600 startups creating nearly 1.5 lakh jobs.

Shashwat Goenka, Chairman of CII Eastern Region, said, “It is a region blessed with natural resources and human capital. More importantly cost effective and skilled labour. It is a power surplus region with huge access to the coastlines.”

Odisha is seeking investments across sectors ranging from tourism and agri-food processing to steel and energy. Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, highlighted reforms to ease business: “There was a time when earlier proposals put up to the government used to take 90-days to be cleared, but now it has come down to 19-days. We have one of the longest coastlines, so tourism potential can be developed. We can develop agritourism. But first your intent should be there to come to the state, otherwise who will use that infrastructure.”

Bihar is targeting a $1 trillion economy by 2047 and aims to move beyond its image as a labour supplier to become a hub for manufacturing, food processing, leather, textiles, IT, and tourism. Officials say this strategy will generate local jobs and reduce large-scale migration.

Gaurav Sah, Chairman of CII Bihar State Council, said, “People often ask why Bihar? But I want to ask why not Bihar? Bihar is a land with abundant water, cost effective manpower, vast consumer market, 30% of India’s population living in the east and yet the region contributes just 16.5% of the GDP. This imbalance needs to change.”

State leaders emphasised that creating industries locally will help retain talent and reduce migration, while also providing businesses with a reliable workforce and access to key resources.

West Bengal is aiming for a $400 billion economy by 2030, driven by MSMEs, exports, semiconductors, and medical tourism. Debashis Dutta, Chairman of CII WB State Council, said, “Gems and jewellery is one of the most important sectors. All the artisan of gems and jewellery in the country come from Bengal. So, people should come to Bengal, invest there and make the industry in the state so that artisans are readily available.”

The eastern region offers cost-effective and skilled labour, abundant natural resources, power surplus, and strategic coastal access, giving it a competitive advantage for investors looking to expand manufacturing and services.

With the right investments, policy support, and corporate focus, the region aims to play a larger role in India’s economic rise.

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