Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today inaugurated IT major Accenture’s Advanced Technology Centre in the Odisha capital here.

Inaugurating the facility, the Chief Minister said, “Over the years, resurgent Odisha has scripted success stories in many spheres. The New Odisha is forging ahead towards progress, buoyed by innovation, new ideas and a strong entrepreneurial ethos. Odisha's growth trajectory is fuelled by a robust ecosystem which will further boost entrepreneurship, technological innovation, and new age businesses. Accenture's expertise in these areas will undoubtedly add immense value to our endeavours. Opening of Accenture’s Advanced Technology Center marks yet another watershed moment, signifying the fast-changing IT, strategy and consulting ecosystem within the state.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Tusharkanti Behera, Minister of State, Electronics & IT, Sports & Youth Services & Home said, “Under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Bhubaneswar has become a global hotspot for IT, ESDM & Consulting companies. With its visionary policies and vibrant ecosystem, Odisha has emerged as the undisputed leader in the IT domain, shaping the future of technology. Accenture’s new Technology centre will create more opportunities for the youths in State.”

Speaking on the occasion, Bhaskar Ghosh, Chief Strategy Officer, Accenture said, “We are excited to commence our operations in Odisha, which is home to reputed academic institutions and a rich pool of skilled talent. The state’s enabling policies have accelerated its emergence as a vibrant IT hub.”

He added, “Our newest Advanced Technology Center in Bhubaneswar will build transformative solutions for our clients using the cloud, data, and AI including generative AI, and reiterates our commitment to expand our presence across more locations in India.”

Located at the Odisha Technology Centre in the capital city here, Accenture’s new centre, spread over 50,000 sq. ft, is designed to accommodate 2000 professionals in hybrid work environment with potential for future expansion.

Manoj Kumar Mishra, Principal Secretary, E&IT Department, said, “The establishment of Accenture's Advanced Technology Center in Bhubaneswar not only signifies their confidence in our state's potential but also reinforces Odisha's position as an attractive & leading destination for investment. I believe that Accenture's presence in Odisha will bolster the state's IT ecosystem, enhancing its vibrancy and competitiveness across the country.

It is pertinent to mention that, the Electronics and IT Department is making significant efforts to continuously attract major investments into the state in IT/ITES & ESDM sector. As a result, recently major IT/ITES/ESDM & global MNCs like IBM, PWC, Deloitte, Concentrix, Happiest Minds, Infosys BPM, Synopsys, E&Y , Chubb, & Cognizant have set up their global development & outsourcing centres in the state.

Among others VK Pandian, Chairman 5T Initiatives & Nabin Odisha, Manas Panda, Special Secretary, Electronics & IT, Ajay Vij, Country Managing Director, Accenture in India, and Shri Mahesh Zurale, Global Lead – Advanced Technology Centers Global Network and Lead – Advanced Technology Centers, India were present on the occasion.

Accenture is a leading global professional services company with over 743,000 people globally including over 300,000 in India. It is recognized for its market-leading people policies, continuous investment in learning career opportunities across technology areas and industry domains, and a deep-rooted commitment to a culture of equality.

Accenture also runs several corporate citizenship initiatives that have synergies with the state’s focus on skilling and equity. This includes the Skills to Succeed programme that skills people for employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.