Bhubaneswar: Odisha has concluded a three-day investment outreach in the UAE with proposed investments of Rs 2,42,162 crore and employment potential of 6,18,725, as the State stepped up its global efforts to attract capital, technology, manufacturing partnerships and access to international markets.
Led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the three-day programme across Abu Dhabi and Dubai resulted in eight Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and 16 Investment Intents, following 26 one-to-one investor meetings and six round-table engagements involving 160 participants.
The outreach brought together UAE-based investors, global business leaders, sovereign and institutional stakeholders, Indian diplomatic representatives and members of the Odia diaspora, creating a platform for direct engagement on investment opportunities and long-term economic partnerships with Odisha.
The concluding day centred on the Odisha Investors’ Meet – UAE 2026 in Dubai, which was attended by around 400 business leaders, investors and members of the UAE business community.
The event provided a direct platform for Odisha to present its investment proposition and for global businesses to explore opportunities to establish or expand their presence in the State.
The day’s investment engagements covered a wide range of sectors, including travel and tourism, logistics, financial investment, LNG storage, green energy, artificial intelligence and data centres, rare earths, ship repair, propellant manufacturing, fertilisers and chemicals, housing, steel and steel downstream industries and other emerging opportunities.
Traditional mining and mineral sectors continued to remain important, while processed food was highlighted as another major opportunity area for investment.
CAZBAA Project Ventures FZCO signed an MoU for LNG storage, while Rana Holdings Limited signed an MoU covering green energy, AI data centres and rare earths.
Sharaf Group entered into an MoU in the housing sector, while PTCL Infrastructure signed an MoU for steel and steel downstream industries.
Investment Intents were received from Dalwin Marine and Turbo Power Engineering for ship repair, Ion Technologies Pvt. Ltd. for a propellant manufacturing plant, and Agrifields FZCO for fertilisers and chemicals.
Alongside the Investors’ Meet, Majhi held one-to-one meetings with leading UAE-based business leaders and investors. The discussions focused on project opportunities, manufacturing footprints, value addition, technology partnerships and long-term investment opportunities in Odisha.
Following the Investors’ Meet, the CM interacted with the Odia diaspora in Dubai, where more than 800 Odias extended a grand welcome to him.
The gathering showcased Odisha’s rich cultural heritage through classical Odissi and traditional folk dances. The interaction also highlighted the strong cultural connection maintained by the Odia community in Dubai.
CM Majhi also appreciated the vibrant cultural connect maintained by the Odia community and highlighted the diaspora’s important role in strengthening Odisha’s global identity and preserving its cultural heritage.
The engagement also sought to strengthen the cultural, social and economic connect between Odisha and Odias living in the UAE, while encouraging the diaspora to contribute to the State’s investment, entrepreneurship, trade and development journey.
Odisha’s One District One Product offerings were also showcased during the programme, adding a distinctive cultural and enterprise dimension to the diaspora engagement. Participants experienced the State’s diverse local products and the entrepreneurial potential emerging from its districts.
The UAE outreach began in Abu Dhabi with high-level engagements involving government, sovereign, institutional and business stakeholders.
A major highlight was the strategic engagement involving International Holding Company and Adani Group, covering opportunities across critical minerals and rare earths, metals and metallurgy, chemicals and petrochemicals, renewable energy equipment, healthcare, industrial infrastructure, tourism, skill development and other strategic sectors.
The first day also featured an engagement with the Indian Business and Professional Group, institutional discussions on investment and infrastructure opportunities, and a focused interaction with Borouge on the potential development of a petrochemical downstream ecosystem in Odisha.
The second day expanded the outreach across several sectors, including IT and ESDM, agro and food processing, steel and downstream manufacturing, logistics, skilling, rare earths, circular economy, chemicals and aluminium.
MoUs and Investment Intents from a diverse group of companies broadened the pipeline of potential projects and partnerships across these sectors.
The CM also held high-level discussions with UAE leadership and industry representatives and visited Emirates Global Aluminium. The visit provided an opportunity to examine advanced aluminium manufacturing, technology and value-addition practices relevant to Odisha’s downstream industrial ecosystem.
Majhi also said Odisha is ready to move into a new phase of industrial growth built around value addition, technology, global partnerships and efficient project execution.
He highlighted the State’s natural resources, competitive energy availability, strategic ports, industrial infrastructure, skilled workforce and established industrial ecosystem as key advantages for investors.
The CM also emphasised that Odisha’s engagement with the UAE is intended to go beyond individual investments and build durable partnerships in manufacturing, trade, technology, exports, innovation, skills and entrepreneurship.
He invited UAE businesses to make Odisha a preferred destination for their next phase of growth in India.
Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain reiterated the state government’s commitment to “Speed, Certainty and Execution”. He assured investors of proactive facilitation and institutional support across the project lifecycle, from investment intent and approvals to implementation and expansion.
The three-day outreach brought together senior government officials, Indian diplomatic representatives and prominent business leaders, creating a platform for direct and sustained engagement between Odisha and the UAE business community.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg, ACS Industries, Home & I&PR Hemant Sharma, Ambassador of India to the UAE Dr. Deepak Mittal, Consul General of India in Dubai Dr. E. Bishnu Vardhan Reddy, senior government of Odisha officials and representatives of IPICOL participated in the engagements.
