Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Odisha Courts UAE Investment Beyond Its Mining Economy
Odisha wants investors to see it as more than a state known for mining.
Its government is visiting the United Arab Emirates to seek money for technology, exports, ports, factories and other industries.
Officials say hundreds of projects and large investment promises have been recorded in the past two years.
They also say many of these proposals are moving through government approvals.
Planned areas include shipbuilding, food exports, rare-earth materials, semiconductors and data centres.
One proposed group of projects could involve the Odisha government, International Holding Company and Adani Group.
The government says these projects could create many jobs and strengthen trade.
Opposition leaders say announcements do not always become working projects.
They argue that earlier investment promises have not yet produced enough visible benefits for Odisha’s people.
Odisha’s government is using a September 9–11, 2026 investors’ meet in the UAE to promote diversified, technology-driven and export-oriented industries.
Officials said 514 projects worth Rs 9.57 lakh crore were recorded in Odisha during the two years after the BJP came to power, with nearly half of the investment intents at advanced approval stages.
Priority sectors include metals downstream, food and seafood exports, ports, logistics, shipbuilding, rare earths, chemicals, semiconductors, data centres and renewable-energy equipment.
Odisha said it has attracted Rs 2.2 lakh crore in Middle Eastern investment intents and announced an MoU involving the state, International Holding Company and Adani Group for 14 proposed projects.
The Biju Janata Dal questioned whether investment announcements, including those from earlier overseas visits, have translated into visible projects and benefits on the ground.
- Who
- The Odisha government, led by Chief Minister Majhi, is seeking investment from UAE and Middle Eastern investors; the Biju Janata Dal has criticized the government’s claims.
- What
- Odisha is promoting investment in diversified, technology-driven, export-oriented and port-linked industries beyond traditional mining.
- When
- The Odisha Investors’ Meet – UAE 2026 is scheduled for September 9–11, 2026; the government’s investment figures cover the two years after the BJP came to power in Odisha.
- Where
- The outreach is taking place in the United Arab Emirates and concerns projects across Odisha, including near Bhubaneswar, Paradip and Kendrapara.
- Why
- The government wants to attract global capital, create jobs, increase exports and shift Odisha toward higher-value industries.
Odisha Government and Supporters
Opposition Critics
Scale and credibility of investment
Odisha Government and Supporters
The government says 514 projects worth Rs 9.57 lakh crore have been recorded in two years, with nearly half of the investment intents at advanced approval stages.
Opposition Critics
The Biju Janata Dal says there is a major gap between investment announcements and implementation, and that earlier overseas investment claims have not produced visible benefits.
Effect of the political change
Odisha Government and Supporters
A senior official said the BJP governing both Odisha and the Centre has increased investor confidence and helped speed clearances and attract projects.
Opposition Critics
The opposition argues that repeated overseas announcements should be judged by projects completed on the ground rather than by the political alignment or stated investment totals.
UAE investment announcement
Odisha Government and Supporters
The government presented the proposed partnership with International Holding Company and Adani Group as a route to 14 projects, employment and higher-value industrial development.
Opposition Critics
BJD spokesperson Lelin Mohanty said the claimed UAE investment largely repeats announcements made at the Utkarsh Odisha event and should not be treated as delivered investment.
- Investors’ meet
- Odisha Investors’ Meet – UAE 2026, scheduled for September 9–11
- Projects and claimed investment
- 514 projects worth Rs 9.57 lakh crore were cited for the two years after the BJP came to power in Odisha
- Approval status
- IPICOL said nearly 50% of recent investment intents are at advanced stages of approval
- Middle Eastern investment intents
- The state government said it has attracted Rs 2.2 lakh crore in investment intents from the Middle East
- Proposed partnership
- The Odisha government, International Holding Company and Adani Group signed an MoU to explore 14 projects
- Proposed shipbuilding park
- NSHIPOL has received in-principle approval and is planned with an investment of Rs 24,700 crore
- Semiconductor and data-centre proposals
- Two semiconductor units received central approval with Rs 4,000 crore investment, while Adani Group proposed a Rs 1 trillion AI-focused data centre