Indian states step up Gulf investor push as UAE becomes gateway to global markets

Dubai: Several states in India are intensifying their pursuit of investments from the Gulf, with Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar and Punjab reaching out to sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and companies in the UAE, offering a mix of customised incentives, industrial land, and sector-specific opportunities.

These states are increasingly looking at the UAE not just as a source of investment but as a gateway to the entire Gulf and other global markets, pitching their manufacturing, agriculture, mining, logistics and technology capabilities to investors at an annual investment meeting in Dubai and through one-to-one meetings with sovereign investors and business groups.

Also read: Indian Inc rushes to align with UAE’s 15% minimum tax as November deadline looms


Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav told ET that the state is prepared to offer additional, customised incentives to large investors and wanted UAE companies to use the state as a production base for exports into the Gulf and beyond.

"If someone wants to make a significantly large investment, I am willing to give further incentives through the Cabinet Committee for Investment Promotion (CCIP)," said Yadav, adding that the state is prepared to go "out of the way" to support companies bringing in significant investments. The CCIP is the state's top level mechanism for fast tracking large investments and can approve customised support for major industrial projects, including granting specific waivers, exemptions, or deferments on electricity duty, stamp duty, royalty, and government dues.

Notably, Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi has brought forward his UAE visit from December to September amid improving the geopolitical environment and growing activity among other Indian states and investors to attract Gulf capital, Odisha additional chief secretary Hemant Sharma told ET. During his three-day visit, Majhi is slated to meet with sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and prominent investment houses.

Majhi's visit comes more than two months after Odisha secured a proposed $11.3 billion integrated aluminium project involving Abu Dhabi-based International Holding Co (IHC) and Adani Group for an aluminium project. "We were supposed to come here a little later this year, but we advanced the visit as the geopolitical situation has largely been resolved, so there is a rush of activity, and we didn't want to miss out on some of the prospective investment," said Sharma.

Mineral-rich Odisha is particularly seeking investments in mining and metallurgy, chemicals and petrochemicals, and port-based logistics. "Besides, we are also focusing on new emerging sectors such as semiconductors and electronic data centres for drawing investments," he said.

MP CM Yadav, who is in Dubai to meet investors and business groups, has held talks with representatives of companies including DP World, VFS Global, Emaar, Lulu Group, Choithrams, and business chambers besides seeking talks with sovereign wealth funds.

Yadav also highlighted the improving transition rate of proposed investments into actual projects. More than ₹10 lakh crore of the roughly ₹30 lakh crore proposed investments in the Global Investment Summit 2025 had already entered implementation, he said.

Also read: Dubai hotels see bookings rebound as tourists return after Iran war shock

"The focus is no longer only on investment commitments, but on actual implementation," said Yadav. "More than 30% of the proposed investment value last year at the GIS 2025 has already entered implementation. Land has already been allotted for projects involving around ₹2.67 lakh crore and construction has started at 480 industrial units."

Punjab is also wooing UAE and international investors. A delegation led by its Industries and Commerce Minister Aman Arora has held meetings with the UAE and international business and investment leaders seeking investments in manufacturing, agriculture and food processing, logistics, textiles, technology, start-ups, clean energy and sustainability. Bihar, meanwhile, is pitching its industrial and infrastructure expansion at the AIM Congress, with a delegation led by its Industries Minister Shreyasi Singh highlighting opportunities in sectors including manufacturing and technology.

Madhya Pradesh is also seeking stronger aviation links with the UAE as part of its investment and trade push. The state is looking to add more direct flights to the UAE, adding to the start of a direct Air India flight between Indore and Abu Dhabi last year. "Our state is providing ₹15 lakh a day to support the direct connectivity between Indore and Abu Dhabi, and we are working towards adding more direct connections to support trade and investments," he said.

Yadav said MP is looking to deepen its partnership with the UAE around food security. "We are a major agricultural producer, and food security is an important national priority for the UAE...We are looking at long term-partnerships in food processing, cold chains, warehousing, packaging, and agri logistics, rather than. limiting exports to raw agricultural commodities," said Yadav.

He said the state is seeking to build investor confidence by supporting companies through land allocation, infrastructure, power and water availability, connectivity, and time-bound government services.