Dubai: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi intensified the state’s global investment outreach during the second day of his UAE visit on Thursday, holding a series of high-level meetings with UAE government representatives, global investors, industry leaders and business groups in Dubai.
The investment-focused engagements resulted in five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) being signed and eight investment proposals being received, with the total proposed investment estimated at Rs 8,417 crore.
According to the state government, the proposed projects have the potential to generate around 14,310 employment opportunities across Odisha.
The investment proposals span several sectors, including information technology, real estate, logistics, food processing, agriculture, steel, rare earth chemicals, aluminium and the circular economy.
CM Majhi Meets UAE Economy and Tourism Minister
As part of his investment outreach programme, Chief Minister Majhi held discussions with UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri.
The meeting focused on strengthening economic relations between Odisha and the UAE and identifying new avenues for investment and commercial cooperation.
Majhi highlighted Odisha’s expanding industrial base, business-friendly environment and availability of opportunities across multiple sectors. He also encouraged UAE-based investors and companies to explore the state as a potential destination for new projects.
Particular emphasis was placed on opportunities in the aluminium ecosystem and downstream industries, an area where Odisha has a significant industrial presence and further scope for value-added investment.
Sharaf Group Assures Investment in Odisha
During his Dubai engagements, the Chief Minister also met Sharaf Group President and CEO Shyam Kapoor to discuss potential investments and opportunities for greater business collaboration between the UAE-based group and Odisha.
Majhi outlined the state’s developing industrial infrastructure and investment-friendly ecosystem while presenting the opportunities available to international companies.
The discussions received a positive response, with Kapoor assuring the Chief Minister of investment in Odisha.
The proposed cooperation is expected to further strengthen the state’s efforts to attract international capital and expand its industrial and commercial base.
Focus on Emerging Industries
Speaking about Odisha’s investment potential, Majhi highlighted several emerging sectors where the state expects substantial demand and investment in the coming years.
He pointed to opportunities in semiconductors, data centres, renewable energy, green ammonia, green hydrogen, pharmaceuticals, textiles and apparel.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the scale of investment commitments already secured by the state government.
“There is a high demand for semiconductors, data centers, and renewable energy, green ammonia, green hydrogen, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and apparel,” Majhi said.
He added that Odisha has signed MoUs involving investments of nearly Rs 22 lakh crore, with projects at different stages of development.
“Currently, some projects are progressing, some are in the pipeline, and we have also inaugurated a few, with more scheduled to be inaugurated in the coming days,” he said.
UAE Outreach Aims to Expand Odisha’s Global Investment Footprint
The latest investment proposals are part of Odisha’s wider strategy to attract international investors and establish stronger economic partnerships with global business centres.
The UAE, particularly Dubai, serves as an important commercial and investment hub connecting businesses across Asia, the Middle East and other international markets.
Through meetings with government officials, corporate leaders and investors, the Odisha government is seeking to position the state as an attractive destination for investment in both traditional industries and emerging sectors.
The Rs 8,417 crore investment proposals received during the latest round of engagements are expected to add further momentum to the state’s investment drive, with the proposed projects potentially generating thousands of employment opportunities.
Multiple Sectors in Investment Pipeline
The diversity of the proposals reflects Odisha’s attempt to broaden its investment base beyond conventional industries.
While sectors such as steel and aluminium remain important to the state’s industrial economy, newer areas including IT, logistics, food processing, renewable energy-linked industries and the circular economy are increasingly being targeted.
The government is also seeking greater investment in downstream industries, which can increase value addition within Odisha and create additional employment opportunities.
With five MoUs already signed and eight proposals received during the Dubai engagements, the state government is expected to continue its discussions with prospective investors to move projects from proposals to implementation.
