Majhi in Abu Dhabi to woo UAE investors, build long-term industrial partnerships for Odisha

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

ABU DHABI, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday said the state has entered a “new phase of industrial growth” and will seek to build long-term partnerships with the UAE based on investment, technology, value creation and employment, as he began a high-level investment outreach in Abu Dhabi.

Majhi arrived in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday to lead Odisha’s investment outreach to the United Arab Emirates, with a series of high-level business and institutional engagements scheduled from September 9 to 11. He is scheduled to return to India on September 12.

 “Odisha has entered a new phase of industrial growth, and our engagement with the UAE is an important part of this journey. We are coming here not only to invite investment, but to build long-term partnerships based on trust, technology, value creation and employment. The UAE is an important global economic partner, and we look forward to strengthening the Odisha-UAE relationship through concrete investment and industrial opportunities,” Majhi said ahead of the investor engagements.

The chief minister said the state government's focus was on translating investment interest into projects on the ground, generating employment and strengthening Odisha's position as a competitive destination for global businesses.

Majhi is leading a high-level delegation comprising Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain, Chief Secretary Anu Garg and senior officials of the Industries Department and IPICOL.

The delegation was received in Abu Dhabi by Additional Chief Secretary, Industries, Hemant Sharma, along with UAE-based officials and representatives. Representatives of the Embassy of India in the UAE also welcomed the delegation.

Following his arrival, Majhi reviewed preparations for the high-level business and investor engagements lined up during the Abu Dhabi leg of the visit. He took stock of arrangements for interactions with UAE-based investors, institutions and business leaders, with emphasis on focused and outcome-oriented discussions.

The chief minister also met the Ambassador of India to the UAE and discussed the deepening of India-UAE relations and opportunities for stronger economic and people-to-people linkages between the two countries.

During the meeting, Majhi stressed the need to ensure continued support, facilitation and ease of living for Odias working and residing in the region, recognising their contribution as an important bridge between Odisha and the UAE.

The Abu Dhabi programme is aimed at taking Odisha's investment outreach beyond broad-based promotion by identifying specific opportunities for partnerships, technology collaboration and long-term industrial participation in the state.

The UAE outreach comes at a significant juncture in Odisha's industrial transformation, with the state government set to showcase its natural resources, industrial infrastructure, ports, competitive power availability, skilled manpower and access to large Indian and international markets before potential investors.

The first full day of the outreach on September 9 will feature a series of high-level engagements with UAE institutions, investors and business leaders. The programme includes interactions with International Holding Company (IHC) and its business verticals, the Indian Business and Professional Group (IBPG), the UAE Minister of Investment and senior investment stakeholders, followed by a focused engagement with the petrochemicals and chemicals sector.

The meetings are expected to provide a platform for discussions on specific investment opportunities, industrial partnerships, technology collaboration and avenues to deepen Odisha-UAE economic ties.

The state government views the outreach as an important step towards building a sustained economic partnership with the UAE and the wider MENA region, with the objective of converting investor interest into concrete outcomes in industrial growth, employment generation and long-term economic value for Odisha.

With the high-level engagements beginning on September 9, Odisha will seek to deepen partnerships and explore fresh opportunities in investment, technology, trade and industrial collaboration with the UAE.