Bhubaneswar: Odisha attracted investment proposals worth ₹8,417 crore with a projected employment potential of 14,310 during the second day of chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s visit to the UAE, as the state intensified its engagement with global investors, industry leaders and business institutions in Dubai.The outreach resulted in the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and receipt of eight Investment Intents (IIFs), reflecting investor interest across sectors such as IT and IT-enabled services, real estate, logistics, food processing, steel and steel downstream industries, rare earths, chemicals, aluminium and the circular economy, a senior govt officer said.The day started with a meeting between Majhi and UAE minister of economy and tourism Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri. Discussions focused on strengthening economic ties and exploring new avenues for investment and business collaboration between Odisha and the UAE.The chief minister highlighted Odisha’s industrial potential, strategic location, infrastructure, natural resources, skilled workforce and investor-friendly policies, inviting UAE-based companies to explore long-term investment opportunities in the state.Majhi later participated in the Odisha Investment Roadshow in Dubai, where the state showcased opportunities in manufacturing, metals and downstream industries, information technology, infrastructure, logistics, food processing, chemicals and energy. He said Odisha was creating an enabling ecosystem for investors through progressive policies, infrastructure development, ease of doing business and responsive governance.A dedicated roundtable with aluminium downstream industries focused on expanding investment in Odisha’s aluminium value chain. Discussions centred on downstream manufacturing, value addition, technology-driven industries and the creation of globally competitive industrial capacities. The chief minister highlighted Odisha’s strong metals and minerals ecosystem and the state’s focus on strengthening downstream industries to generate greater economic value and employment.The chief minister also interacted with members of the Indian Business & Professional Council (IBPC) in Dubai. The discussions focused on strengthening business linkages, facilitating investment opportunities and encouraging greater participation of the Indian business and professional community in Odisha’s growth story.As part of the sectoral outreach, Majhi visited Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) to gain insights into advanced industrial operations, technology and global best practices in the aluminium sector. He also attended a roundtable with the Bureau of Middle East Recycling, where discussions centred on investment opportunities in recycling, resource efficiency and the circular economy.The chief minister held a series of one-to-one and group meetings with investors and business leaders, presenting Odisha’s investment opportunities and the state govt’s commitment to facilitating projects.Of the total investment proposals, the five MoUs accounted for ₹5,600 crore and an estimated 11,500 jobs, while the eight investment intents represented ₹2,817 crore and 2,810 potential jobs. Together, they amounted to ₹8,417 crore of proposed investment and 14,310 employment opportunities, marking a significant outcome of Odisha’s investment outreach in Dubai.
