Bhubaneswar/Dubai: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s UAE investment outreach entered its second day on Thursday with a series of high-level meetings with government representatives, investors and industry leaders, following a major investment push in Abu Dhabi on the first day of his visit.
Majhi arrived in Dubai on Wednesday night, where he was welcomed by members of the Odia community and business representatives. The Chief Minister’s UAE visit, which runs from September 8 to 12, is aimed at attracting global investment and strengthening Odisha’s economic and business ties with the UAE.
The second day’s programme includes a meeting with UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri to discuss investment and economic cooperation. Majhi is also scheduled to hold one-to-one meetings with industry representatives to showcase investment opportunities in Odisha.
A key focus of the day is the aluminium sector, with a roundtable discussion planned with downstream aluminium industry representatives. The discussions will explore opportunities arising from Odisha’s established aluminium ecosystem and the potential for greater investment in downstream manufacturing.
The Odisha delegation will also visit Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) to explore possible cooperation in aluminium and downstream industries. Another roundtable with the Bureau of Middle East Recycling will focus on recycling, the circular economy and sustainable industrial development.
The Chief Minister is also scheduled to meet representatives of the Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC) and interact with members of the Odisha business delegation on market linkages, investment opportunities and ways to strengthen Odisha-UAE economic relations.
The second day follows a significant investment push in Abu Dhabi, where Odisha announced MoUs and cooperation agreements covering 14 proposed projects involving the International Holding Company (IHC) and the Adani Group.
According to the Odisha government, the projects represent an estimated investment of ₹2,10,500 crore and have the potential to create employment opportunities for around 8,68,200 people. The proposed investments span metal downstream industries, slurry pipelines, critical minerals and rare earths, chemicals and petrochemicals, renewable energy equipment, healthcare, industrial infrastructure, tourism, skill development and sports infrastructure.
Discussions also advanced plans for an integrated aluminium project. The state government has proposed land for an alumina refinery in Kalyansinghpur tehsil of Rayagada district and an aluminium smelter in Sadar Sundargarh tehsil.
The first day also saw Odisha and the Indian Business and Professional Group (IBPG) sign a cooperation agreement aimed at promoting trade and investment. Discussions included expanding exports of Odisha products such as turmeric, ginger and seafood, promoting contract manufacturing for UAE brands and creating opportunities for skilled manpower from the state.
Majhi also invited Borouge CEO Hazim Sultan Al Suwaidi to explore setting up a large petrochemicals downstream complex in Odisha, leveraging the proposed naphtha cracker project of Indian Oil Corporation at Paradip.
Separately, the Chief Minister held discussions with UAE-based investment institutions on potential public-private partnership opportunities in Odisha’s infrastructure sector, including institutional investment and long-term project financing.
The investment outreach will continue with the Odisha Investors’ Meet in Dubai, as the state seeks to convert growing international investor interest into projects, employment and long-term economic partnerships.
