₹2.1 lakh crore project pipeline to aluminum, critical minerals, renewable energy, infrastructure and food exports, Odisha steps up its campaign to attract UAE capital and build long-term economic partnerships
ABU DHABI / INDIA : GTNS, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026; Odisha has intensified its investment diplomacy in the United Arab Emirates, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi holding a high-level meeting with H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Cabinet Member and Minister of Economy and Tourism.
The meeting formed part of Odisha’s multi-day UAE investment outreach aimed at bringing global capital, technology and industrial partnerships into the State.
CM Majhi highlighted Odisha’s expanding industrial ecosystem, investment-ready infrastructure and opportunities across strategic sectors, while inviting UAE-based investors and business groups to explore projects in the State.
₹2.1 LAKH CRORE INVESTMENT PIPELINE EMERGES
The UAE visit gained major momentum on the first day with an agreement involving the Odisha Government, International Holding Company (IHC) and the Adani Group to explore 14 projects with an indicative investment potential of around ₹2.1 lakh crore.
The proposed projects span multiple areas, including metals, critical minerals, petrochemicals, renewable energy, healthcare and infrastructure. The proposals could have an employment potential of about 8.68 lakh jobs, according to reports on the agreement.
Importantly, the figure represents an indicative investment pipeline under projects being explored, rather than ₹2.1 lakh crore of already-realised investment.
IHC ENGAGEMENT PUTS ODISHA ON GLOBAL INVESTOR RADAR
CM Majhi also led a roundtable with business verticals and group companies of International Holding Company (IHC) in Abu Dhabi.
The discussions examined investment prospects, industrial cooperation and opportunities to strengthen Odisha’s position as a destination for international capital. The Odisha Chief Minister’s Office said the engagement focused on developing partnerships and identifying investment opportunities in the State.
The engagement is significant because IHC is among the major Abu Dhabi-based investment groups with interests across several strategic sectors.
ALUMINIUM SECTOR GETS UAE–ODISHA LINK
A major industrial development already connecting Odisha with UAE technology is the agreement between National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA).
NALCO has entered into a technology licensing agreement with EGA for its proposed 0.5 million-tonne-per-year brownfield aluminium smelter expansion at Angul.
The agreement will provide access to EGA’s DX+ Ultra smelting technology, along with technical know-how, designs and implementation support. NALCO’s broader expansion programme is aimed at taking its overall aluminium production capacity towards approximately 1 million tonnes annually.
The development provides a concrete example of how UAE–Odisha cooperation can move beyond financial investment into technology transfer and industrial modernisation.
FROM MINERALS TO RENEWABLE ENERGY
Odisha is also presenting opportunities in areas such as critical minerals, renewable energy, infrastructure, healthcare, manufacturing and petrochemicals.
The State’s mineral resources, industrial base, ports, connectivity and growing manufacturing ecosystem are being positioned as key advantages for investors looking at India’s eastern coast and export-oriented production.
The UAE outreach is also designed to strengthen cooperation in technology, trade and value-chain development rather than focusing only on traditional investment.
FOOD EXPORTS AND UAE MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
The investment campaign is not limited to large industrial projects.
During an interaction with the Indian Business & Professional Group (IBPG) in Abu Dhabi, discussions included opportunities involving turmeric, ginger, seafood, food processing and contract manufacturing for UAE brands. The engagement also focused on strengthening trade, exports and movement of goods between Odisha and the UAE.
This opens another potential avenue for Odisha—using the UAE as a commercial gateway for the State’s agricultural, seafood and processed-food products.
A BIGGER GLOBAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY
CM Majhi’s UAE visit is part of Odisha’s broader effort to attract international investment and build export-oriented industries.
Before the visit, the Chief Minister said the State was looking to strengthen global business linkages, attract international capital and expand export-led industrial growth. The programme includes engagements with sovereign investment institutions, financial groups, industry leaders and business organisations.
For Odisha, the objective is increasingly clear: turn global investor interest into projects, technology partnerships, exports, jobs and long-term industrial capacity.
DAY 2 FOCUS: TURNING INTEREST INTO PARTNERSHIPS
The meeting with UAE Economy and Tourism Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri adds a government-to-government dimension to Odisha’s investor outreach.
With the State simultaneously pursuing large industrial proposals, technology partnerships, export opportunities and direct engagement with UAE investors, the current mission represents one of Odisha’s significant international investment campaigns.
The immediate challenge will be to translate proposals and expressions of interest into formal projects, financing commitments and ground-level implementation.
For Odisha, however, the UAE outreach has already expanded the conversation—from attracting individual investors to building a wider Odisha–UAE economic corridor covering industry, technology, trade, exports and investment.
Global Times News | INDIA ; GTNS
SEPTEMBER 10, 2026