Bhubaneswar, Sep 10 (IANS): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday met UAE Cabinet Member and Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri in Dubai on the second day of the state’s three-day investor outreach programme (September 9–11).
According to an official statement, the discussions focused on strengthening economic and investment ties between Odisha and the UAE, with particular emphasis on exploring new investment opportunities in the state. Al Marri also serves as Chairman of the Council of International Investments.
During the interaction, the Chief Minister highlighted Odisha’s favourable business environment, strong industrial ecosystem and investment potential across key sectors, inviting UAE-based investors to explore opportunities and invest in the State.
Earlier on Wednesday, Chief Minister Majhi commenced the outreach in Abu Dhabi with a high-level roundtable involving senior leadership from International Holding Company (IHC) and the Adani Group. A major outcome was the signing of an MoU between the Government of Odisha, IHC and the Adani Group to explore 14 new projects with an indicative investment of Rs 2,10,500 crore and employment potential for roughly 8,68,200 people.
The proposed portfolio spans downstream metals, slurry pipelines, critical minerals and rare earths, petrochemical derivatives, renewable energy equipment, healthcare, industrial infrastructure, tourism, skill development and sports infrastructure.
Additionally, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed with the Indian Business and Professional Group (IBPG) to promote bilateral trade and explore investment opportunities in Odisha.
The engagement also explored opportunities to increase exports of Odisha’s products, including spices such as turmeric and ginger, seafood and other products, while encouraging contract manufacturing for leading UAE brands.
The Chief Minister also engaged with Hazeem Sultan Al Suwaidi, CEO of Borouge, inviting the firm to explore a large-scale downstream chemicals complex linked to Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s proposed naphtha cracker at Paradip, followed by a roundtable with UAE-based investment institutions focused on institutional participation in Odisha’s infrastructure pipeline.
