Odisha advances global investment partnerships on opening day of UAE engagements
MoU for 14 new projects with IHC and Adani anchors a day of agreements on trade and port development
Abu Dhabi / Dubai, Bhubaneswar, 9 September 2026: Rajat kumar Mohapatra darshan samikhya
Odisha opened the first day of substantive engagements during the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s UAE visit with progress on the integrated aluminium project, an MoU covering 14 new projects and cooperation agreements on trade and port development. Led by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, the engagements brought together leading businesses and investment institutions to expand the State’s international investment partnerships during the visit from 8 to 12 September 2028.
IHC and Adani partnership expands to 14 new projects
The day began with a key roundtable with the business verticals and group companies of International Holding Company (IHC). Following up on the landmark MoU signed on 2 July 2026, the meeting was attended by Mr. Syed Basar Shueb, Managing Director, CEO and Board Member of IHC; Mr. Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone; and Mr. Sagar Adani, Executive Director of Adani Green Energy. The Adani Group is the joint venture partner for the aluminium project. The roundtable also brought together senior representatives from IHC’s business verticals and group companies, including Mr. Ali Rashed AlRashdi, CEO, International Resources Holding (IRH); Ms. Samia Bouazza, CEO, 2PointZero Group; Mr. Mohamed Hesham, CEO, ePointZero; Mr. Falal Ameen, Group CEO, Ghitha Holding; Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Chairman & Founder, Burjeel Holdings; Dr. Yasser Zaghloul, Group CEO, NMDC Group; Mr. Guy Neivens, CEO, Al Seer Marine; Mr. Kayed Ali Khorma, CEO, Emirates Stallions Group; Mr. Ajay Bhatia, CEO, Sirius International Holding; Odia entrepreneur and Mr. Andrey Lazorenko, ADI Foundation.
Discussions advanced the consideration of potential sites for the integrated aluminium project, with land proposed for the alumina refinery in Kalyansinghpur Tahsil of Rayagada district and for the aluminium smelter in Sadar Sundargarh Tahsil of Sundargarh district. The engagement provided further momentum to translating the partnership into projects on the ground.
A major outcome was the signing of an MoU between the Government of Odisha, IHC and the Adani Group to explore 14 new projects with an indicative investment of $2.105 Trillion ( ₹2,10,500 crore ) and employment potential for approximately 8,68,200 people. The proposed portfolio spans metal downstream industries, slurry pipelines, critical minerals and rare earths, chemicals and petrochemical derivatives, renewable energy equipment, healthcare, industrial infrastructure, tourism, skill development and sports infrastructure.
The expanded partnership positions Odisha as a potential base for a wider range of IHC businesses, building on the aluminium project. It opens opportunities to combine the State’s industrial strengths with international capital, technology and market access.
New cooperation framework to strengthen Odisha UAE trade
The Chief Minister met representatives of the Indian Business and Professional Group (IBPG), including Mr. Rajiv Shah, President, IBPG; Mr. Varun Wahi, General Secretary, IBPG; and other senior members of the Group. Discussions focused on generating investment interest and strengthening commercial links between Odisha and UAE-based businesses.
A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Government of Odisha and IBPG to promote bilateral trade and explore investment opportunities in Odisha. The engagement also explored opportunities for increasing exports of Odisha’s products, including spices such as turmeric and ginger, seafood and other products, while encouraging contract manufacturing for leading UAE brands and facilitating opportunities for highly skilled manpower.
Entrepreneurs from Odisha also participated and shared their perspectives on expanding business partnerships, strengthening market linkages and enhancing access to the UAE market. The interaction provided a platform to deepen Odisha-UAE commercial cooperation and create new avenues for trade, investment and business partnerships.
Borouge invited to develop Petrochemicals downstream complex
The Chief Minister met Mr. Hazeem Sultan Al Suwaidi, CEO, Borouge (Petrochem Sector), and invited the company to explore a large scale chemicals downstream complex in Odisha, with potential feedstock linkages to Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s proposed naphtha cracker at Paradip.
Borouge produces polyethylene and polypropylene for applications including infrastructure, energy, mobility, healthcare, agriculture and advanced packaging. Borouge Plc reported revenue of US$5.85 billion for calendar year 2025. The proposed engagement seeks to bring global polymer expertise to Odisha and support greater value addition within the State’s petrochemical ecosystem.
Investment funds and port cooperation widen infrastructure opportunities
At a separate roundtable with UAE-based investment institutions, the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi presented a range of Government projects available for development through public-private partnerships. The discussions focused on opportunities for institutional participation in Odisha’s infrastructure pipeline, project evaluation and potential avenues for long-term investment partnerships.
The roundtable brought together senior representatives from leading UAE-based investment and business institutions, including Mr. Abdulha Zeini Jafri, Divisional Director IFC, GCC, Giulio Occhuonereo, Head of Quantitative Research Development IRH Global Trending, and Francesca Maria MD of Elliptic FZ.
The opening day of Odisha’s UAE investment outreach further strengthened the State’s engagement with global investors and institutions. The discussions on infrastructure, ports, trade and investment partnerships are expected to create a stronger foundation for sustained investment, employment generation and wider market access, advancing the vision of Samruddha Odisha.
Pathani Rout
DD.I&PR Deptt & PRO to Chief Secy
