Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi returned to Bhubaneswar on September 13 after a five-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he led high-level discussions to attract global investment.
The CM was accorded a grand welcome at the airport, joined by ministers, legislators, and citizens.
During the visit, Majhi emphasised the government’s commitment to harnessing the potential of Odisha’s youth, ensuring they find respectable employment opportunities within the state. He described the UAE tour as a “new chapter” in Odisha’s industrialisation drive, building on the momentum of the ‘Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave’ held in January 2025.
The UAE mission included 52 business meetings, 6 roundtable discussions, and 46 one-to-one meetings with nearly 400 industry leaders. The outcome: 8 MoUs and 16 investment intents, amounting to Rs 2.43 lakh crore in investment proposals, expected to generate over 9 lakh jobs (6.18 lakh direct and the rest indirect).
With this, Odisha’s cumulative investment proposals have reached Rs 22.5 lakh crore, marking a milestone in the state’s economic growth journey. Key projects include integrated aluminium ventures in Rayagada and Sundaragada districts, backed by partnerships between IHC and Adani Group.
Majhi also engaged with successful Odia entrepreneurs and expatriates in the UAE, strengthening bilateral business and cultural ties. He reiterated the government’s vision to transform Odisha into a $500 billion economy by 2036, with skill training programs preparing youth for upcoming industries.
Industries Minister Samapad Chandra Swain highlighted that the agreements will accelerate industrial growth and employment, dismissing opposition criticism as baseless. He asserted that Odisha’s development trajectory under the current government has matched a decade of progress in just two years.