"I will leave for UK the day after tomorrow. I am leaving for Delhi today," Patnaik said before going on his first foreign trip after becoming Chief Minister in 2000.
Patnaik, as per the programme will meet DFID officials and hold discussion on several issues. "I will discuss on the girls education projects and anti-poverty programmes here with the officials of DFID", the chief minister said.
The Chief Minister also said that he would also hold discussion with experts at Sussex, an internationally reputed institute.
In a bid to promote the state's handloom and handicraft, Patnaik is also scheduled to inaugurate an exhibition of Odisha's handloom products in London. A student delegation of Odia, sources said, would meet the Chief Minister during his visit.
Patnaik will lead a delegation comprising Odisha's minister for textile Usha Devi and SC ST development minister Ramesh Majhi besides some officers. The delegation was scheduled to return to Delhi on May 30, sources said.
Meanwhile, the ruling BJD said that the Chief Minister's visit would strengthen the relation between of the state with UK, particularly with the DFID. Odisha was one of the focus state of DFID.
