Odisha’s total investment proposals rise to ₹22.5 lakh crore; 8 MoUs and 16 Investment Intents secured during UAE outreach
BHUBANESWAR , GTNS , SEPTEMBER 13, 2026: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has returned to the state after a high-level visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), carrying a major investment push that the state government says could significantly strengthen industrial growth and employment opportunities.
According to the Chief Minister, the UAE outreach has resulted in investment proposals worth ₹2,43,162 crore for Odisha. The proposed investments are expected to generate 6,18,725 direct employment opportunities, while the number could rise to nearly 9 lakh jobs when indirect employment is taken into account.
Speaking to the media at Bhubaneswar airport after returning from the UAE, Chief Minister Majhi said the state government was using its maximum potential to secure a brighter future for Odisha’s youth.
He said the government’s larger objective was to ensure that young people who complete their education should have access to respectable employment opportunities within Odisha itself. For this purpose, the government has been expanding its industrialisation drive and actively engaging with investors both within India and abroad.
UAE Visit Opens a New Chapter in Odisha’s Investment Drive
The Chief Minister described the UAE visit as another important chapter in the industrialisation campaign undertaken by the Odisha government over the past two years.
The visit was undertaken from September 8 to 12, with the Chief Minister, Industries Minister and senior government officials holding extensive discussions with investors and business leaders in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
During the three-day investment outreach on September 9, 10 and 11, the Odisha delegation participated in 52 business meetings, including six roundtable meetings and 46 one-to-one meetings.
Around 400 industry leaders and representatives were engaged during the discussions, with the Odisha government presenting investment opportunities and the state’s industrial potential.
The outreach resulted in the signing of eight Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and the generation of 16 Investment Intents, together accounting for the proposed investment of ₹2.43 lakh crore.
Odisha’s Overall Investment Pipeline Reaches ₹22.5 Lakh Crore
The latest UAE proposals have taken Odisha’s overall investment proposal pipeline to approximately ₹22.5 lakh crore, when combined with more than ₹20 lakh crore in investment proposals secured earlier.
The government believes the continuing investment campaign could accelerate economic activity, expand industrial capacity and create employment opportunities across different sectors.
The latest developments also come after the Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave, held in Bhubaneswar in January 2025.
Following the conclave, the state government has undertaken investment outreach programmes in major Indian business centres including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Gujarat, besides international destinations such as Singapore.
IHC-Adani Partnership Brings New Industrial Possibilities
A significant component of the UAE engagement involved discussions with Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the International Investors Council, and Syed Basar Shuaib, Managing Director of IHC.
The Chief Minister said the state was also working to take forward the partnership between International Holding Company (IHC) and the Adani Group, which was established on July 2, 2026.
As part of this effort, MoUs have been signed for 14 new projects in Odisha. Efforts are also underway to establish integrated aluminium projects in Rayagada and Sundargarh districts.
Such projects could strengthen Odisha’s position in the aluminium and mineral-based industrial value chain while creating opportunities for associated and downstream industries.
Focus Shifts from Investment Proposals to Ground-Level Execution
While the scale of the investment proposals is significant, the next major task for the state government will be converting the MoUs and investment intents into operational projects.
The government has stated that its priority is now to facilitate the speedy implementation of the proposed investments so that projects can move towards production and generate employment.
The success of the investment drive will therefore depend not only on the value of proposals announced but also on land availability, infrastructure, clearances, project execution and the creation of a skilled workforce.
Skill Development for Odisha’s Youth
Chief Minister Majhi also stressed the importance of preparing Odisha’s youth for the employment opportunities expected to emerge from new industries and offices.
The government is working towards providing necessary skill training so that young people can become employment-ready for upcoming industrial projects.
The strategy is aimed at creating a stronger connection between investment and local employment, ensuring that the benefits of industrial expansion reach Odisha’s young population.
Odisha Targets a $500 Billion Economy
The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s long-term vision of building a prosperous Odisha by 2036 and transforming the state into a $500 billion economy within the next decade.
The investment outreach to the UAE is being positioned as part of that broader economic strategy, with the government seeking to attract domestic and international capital, expand industrialisation and create employment opportunities.
The immediate challenge, however, will be implementation. Turning investment commitments into factories, offices and functioning businesses will be critical to delivering the promised economic and employment benefits to the people of Odisha.
Engagement with Odia Diaspora
During the UAE visit, the Odisha delegation also interacted with successful Odia entrepreneurs and members of the Odia diaspora living in the UAE.
The government believes that stronger engagement with the Odia diaspora can contribute to deeper business, investment and cultural connections between Odisha and the UAE.
As Chief Minister Majhi returned to Odisha, the message from the government was clear: the investment outreach is moving into its next phase, where attracting proposals must now be followed by faster implementation, skill development and actual job creation for the people of the state.
GTNS | BHUBANESWAR