THEBUSINESSBYES
BUREAU
DUBAI,
SEPTEMBER 10, 2026
Odisha on Thursday
stepped up its investment outreach in the United Arab Emirates, securing five
Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and eight investment intents involving a
combined proposed investment of ₹8,417 crore and employment potential of 14,310, as Chief
Minister Mohan Charan Majhi held a series of high-level meetings with UAE
leaders, global investors and industry representatives.
The investment engagements
on the second day of Majhi’s UAE visit covered a diverse range of sectors,
including information technology and IT-enabled services, real estate,
logistics, food and agro processing, steel and downstream industries, rare
earths, chemicals, aluminium and the circular economy.
The day began with a
high-level meeting between Majhi and UAE Cabinet Member and Minister of Economy
and Tourism Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, who is also Chairman of the Council of
International Investments.
The discussions focused
on strengthening economic and investment cooperation between Odisha and the UAE
and identifying new opportunities for UAE-based investors and businesses in the
eastern Indian state.
Majhi highlighted
Odisha’s growing industrial potential, strategic geographical location, robust
infrastructure, natural resource base, skilled workforce and investor-friendly
policy environment. He invited UAE investors and business leaders to explore
Odisha as a destination for long-term investment and strategic partnerships.
At the Odisha
Investment Roadshow in Dubai, the state showcased its industrial ecosystem and
investment opportunities across manufacturing, metals and downstream
industries, information technology, infrastructure, logistics, food processing,
chemicals, energy and emerging sectors.
The chief minister
said Odisha was creating an enabling ecosystem for investors through
progressive policies, infrastructure development, ease of doing business and
responsive governance. He invited global businesses to partner with the state
in accelerating industrialisation, generating employment and promoting
sustainable economic growth.
A dedicated
roundtable with aluminium downstream industries focused on opportunities across
Odisha’s aluminium value chain, particularly downstream manufacturing, greater
value addition and technology-driven industrial development.
Majhi highlighted
Odisha’s established metals and minerals ecosystem and the state government’s
emphasis on expanding downstream industries to create greater economic value
and employment within the state.
The chief minister
also interacted with the Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC) in
Dubai, where discussions centred on strengthening business linkages,
facilitating investment opportunities and encouraging greater participation of
the Indian business and professional community in Odisha’s growth story.
The interaction also
explored potential collaborations, market linkages and avenues for expanding
economic engagement between Odisha and the UAE.
As part of the
sector-specific outreach, Majhi visited Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), a
leading aluminium manufacturing facility in the UAE, where he gained insights
into advanced industrial operations, technology and global practices in the
aluminium sector.
The visit provided an
opportunity to explore potential cooperation in technology, value addition and
industrial development, particularly in view of Odisha’s strong aluminium
ecosystem and its growing focus on downstream manufacturing.
Recycling and the
circular economy also figured prominently in the UAE outreach, with an industry
roundtable held with the Bureau of Middle East Recycling. The discussions
explored investment opportunities, technology collaboration, resource
efficiency and sustainable industrial practices.
The engagement is in
line with Odisha’s efforts to promote sustainable industrial growth and develop
new investment opportunities in emerging areas linked to resource efficiency
and the circular economy.
Majhi also held a
series of one-to-one and group meetings with investors and business leaders,
presenting Odisha’s investment opportunities and outlining the state
government’s commitment to facilitating projects and providing institutional
support.
The interactions
generated significant investor interest across technology, real estate,
logistics, food processing, chemicals, aluminium, steel downstream, rare earths
and circular economy sectors.
Of the total
investment potential announced during the day, the five MoUs accounted for
proposed investments of ₹5,600
crore and employment potential of 11,500. The eight Investment Intents (IIFs)
represented an additional proposed investment of ₹2,817 crore and employment
potential of 2,810.
Taken together, the
five MoUs and eight investment intents represent ₹8,417 crore in proposed investments with the potential to
create 14,310 employment opportunities.
The Dubai engagements have further expanded Odisha’s connect with international investors and business institutions, with the state focusing on converting investment interest into projects, strengthening sectoral partnerships and creating new avenues for employment and economic growth.
The outreach also underscored Odisha’s growing appeal as an investment destination and its potential to serve as a strategic base for businesses seeking access to India’s eastern and wider markets.
