Deloitte, a leading global professional services firm, opened its capability enhancement centre (CEC) here on Friday.

“The opening of Deloitte’s centre in Bhubaneswar will provide further impetus to the state’s economy and create significant high-end employment opportunities for the youth,” said a media release issued by the Odisha chief minister’s office.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the CEC, a 55,000sq ft facility, in the presence of Union minister for education, skill development, and entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan.

The CEC in Bhubaneswar will expand to 1,500 professionals over 18 months and focus on areas such as analytics, artificial intelligence, digitalisation, machine learning, cloud, and cyber security.

Bhubaneswar has now become the fourth city after Thane-Mumbai, Gurgaon, and Coimbatore to have Deloitte’s CEC, which delivers value through the adoption of best practices, use of latest technologies, and deployment of a diverse and skilled workforce.

Speaking on the occasion, Patnaik reiterated his government’s commitment to facilitate Deloitte’s expansion in Odisha.

“We will support Deloitte’s expansion and plans for the state through all possible means,” Naveen said. Pradhan said; “Development of eastern India is the pre-requisite for a developed India. Deloitte’s centre will act as a role model for other major companies to also establish their centres in the state.”

Odisha, IT Minister TK Behera said, “Bhubaneswar is already eastern India’s preeminent IT Hub and Deloitte’s presence will further increase the state’s capabilities in IT sector”.

Lauding the speed and responsiveness of state government officials and institutions, Romal Shetty, CEO designate of Deloitte, said: “In Odisha, we feel like a part of a family because of the professionalism and warmth with which we have been received in the state. Odisha is central to our plans and Deloitte will considerably expand the scope of its operations in the state.”