Odisha pitches ₹2.105 lakh crore in investments across critical minerals, metallurgy, ports and industrial infrastructure, targeting global capital, exports and 8.7 lakh employment opportunities
OdishaPlus Bureau
Odisha has proposed investment projects worth ₹2.105 lakh crore during an investor outreach programme in Abu Dhabi, making it one of the state’s largest overseas investment drives.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi led the state delegation that pitched 14 mega projects to the UAE-based International Holding Company (IHC) and the Adani Group. Memorandums of Understanding have already been signed to explore the proposed investments.
The projects span strategic sectors including rare earths, metallurgy, critical minerals, coal-to-chemicals, port-based Special Economic Zones and industrial infrastructure.
According to the state government, the proposed projects could generate employment for around 8.7 lakh people. This includes nearly 1.9 lakh direct jobs, four lakh indirect jobs and 2.8 lakh construction-related employment opportunities.
“Odisha offers a unique combination of natural resources, industrial capabilities, strategic location and a growing infrastructure ecosystem,” Majhi said during a roundtable with IHC representatives.
He invited IHC and its group companies to explore long-term investment opportunities in Odisha, particularly in critical minerals, metallurgy and port-led development, assuring the investors of full government support for strategic partnerships.
The Odisha delegation also held a separate interaction with the Indian Business & Professional Group (IBPG) in Abu Dhabi to explore opportunities for expanding the state’s exports to the UAE and the wider Middle East and North Africa region.
Discussions focused on promoting Odisha’s products, including GI-tagged turmeric and ginger, seafood and processed food, in overseas markets. The participants also explored contract manufacturing opportunities for UAE brands and the possibility of placing highly skilled professionals from Odisha in the UAE job market.
Odisha-based companies already operating in the UAE, including Ruchi, Farrm B and B-one, participated in the interaction along with IBPG president Rajiv Shah.
A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Odisha government and IBPG to promote bilateral trade and identify new investment opportunities.
The UAE outreach is part of Odisha’s broader strategy to attract global capital and strengthen its position as an industrial and export hub.
The state had earlier secured a $11.5-billion (around ₹1.10 lakh crore) joint venture between IHC and Adani for an integrated aluminium project. The latest investment pipeline, if realised, would significantly expand the scale of the proposed UAE-linked investments in Odisha.
Additional Chief Secretary (Industries) Hemant Sharma said the state accelerated its UAE outreach in view of growing competition from other Indian states seeking overseas investment.
The Abu Dhabi meetings were attended by senior business leaders, including IHC Group Managing Director and CEO Syed Basar Shueb, IHC Chief Strategic and Growth Officer Peter Abraam, 2PointZero Group CEO Samia Bouazza, and Adani Group executives Karan Adani and Sagar Adani.
The proposed investments mark a significant push by Odisha to leverage its mineral resources, industrial base, ports and strategic location to attract large-scale global investment and create employment.