The conclave, taking place from January 28 to 29, will kick off with a grand reception at Bhubaneswar Airport, where PM Modi will be welcomed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. Following the warm welcome, the Prime Minister will head to the event venue at Janata Maidan to officially launch the summit.

The Utkarsh Odisha conclave is designed to position the state as a central player in India’s industrial growth, in alignment with the Purvodaya Vision. The state’s ambition is to emerge as a leading investment hub and industrial powerhouse, benefiting from its rich resources and strategic location.

One of the key highlights of the event will be the inauguration of the Make in Odisha Exhibition, which will showcase the state’s accomplishments in creating a vibrant industrial ecosystem. This exhibition will provide a platform for interaction between industry leaders, investors, and policymakers, focusing on the opportunities for investment and collaboration in Odisha.

The conclave is expected to attract over 7,500 investors from across the globe. It will feature a range of activities including CEOs and Leaders’ Roundtables, sectoral discussions, B2B meetings, and policy dialogues. These sessions will focus on key sectors such as Information Technology (IT), renewable energy, textiles, chemicals, and food processing.

In addition to local participants, 12 countries—Australia, Malaysia, Japan, Germany, Poland, and Cuba among them—have been invited as “Countries of Focus.” These nations will explore potential investment opportunities in Odisha, further enhancing the global outreach of the conclave.

The Odisha government is targeting an impressive Rs 5 lakh crore in investments, with plans to sign 100 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during the event. However, Industry Minister Sampad Chandra Swain has emphasized that the focus will not just be on MoUs but on ensuring the effective implementation of projects that can drive sustainable industrial growth.

Through the conclave, Odisha aims to accelerate its journey toward becoming a global industrial hub, working towards its vision of a “Samrudh Odisha” by 2036 and contributing to the goal of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) by 2047. The Utkarsh Odisha conclave is poised to be a defining moment in the state’s industrial transformation, fostering opportunities for both domestic and international investments.

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Maharashtra led the charge, capturing nearly 80% of the total investment pledges. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the state signed 61 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 15.7 lakh crore. These investments have the potential to generate more than 16 lakh jobs, further boosting Maharashtra’s economic landscape. Other states, including Telangana, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh, also made impressive strides at the event, securing significant investment commitments to fuel their development.

Telangana, represented by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, secured 20 MoUs valued at Rs 1.8 lakh crore. Kerala and Uttar Pradesh showcased ambitious growth plans, attracting attention and investments from global entities looking to tap into India’s diverse markets.

In a notable move, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu engaged in productive dialogues with CEOs and top executives from global corporations. These discussions focused on highlighting the state’s investment potential, signaling Andhra Pradesh’s readiness to welcome foreign investments across various sectors.

One of the most significant announcements from the summit came from IT giant Infosys, which revealed plans to expand its presence in Hyderabad, creating 17,000 new jobs in the process. This move reflects the growing attractiveness of India as a hub for IT and tech-driven opportunities.

Union Railways and Electronics and IT Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, also took center stage during the summit, outlining India’s strategic approach to balanced economic growth. Vaishnaw highlighted that India is not only focusing on services but is also ramping up manufacturing. He emphasized the shift from an import substitution model to a more forward-looking “Make in India, Make for the World” approach, positioning India as a critical player in the global supply chain.

Vaishnaw’s address underscored India’s rapid rise in the semiconductor and AI sectors. He pointed out that industry leaders now consider India as a potential top-three destination for semiconductor manufacturing. India’s growing dominance in Global Capability Centers (GCCs) focused on advanced designs was also highlighted, showcasing the country’s emerging role in global manufacturing.

In the AI space, Vaishnaw pointed out that India is positioning itself as the “use case capital” of the world. As AI models become more commoditized, the focus is shifting toward developing specific applications and solutions that cater to diverse industries globally. This presents India with a unique opportunity to lead innovation in this transformative field.

Furthermore, the Indian government’s emphasis on skilling and preparing its workforce for emerging technologies, especially AI, ensures that the country remains at the forefront of global technological advancements. By fostering a skilled labor force, India is laying the foundation for sustained growth in the future.

With its commitment to enhancing infrastructure, fostering technological innovation, and expanding its industrial capacity, India is poised to solidify its place as a global economic leader. The investments secured at WEF 2025 are just the beginning of a new chapter in India’s economic transformation, promising unprecedented growth, job creation, and global recognition in the years to come.

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The meetings, held from January 13-14, 2025, brought together Minister Rajeev and top UAE officials, including UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi and Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce. These discussions proved fruitful, with the UAE confirming its commitment to the event by sending a special delegation to Kerala for the summit. The UAE’s strong support signals a new chapter in bilateral trade and investment between Kerala and the Gulf nation.

Strategic Areas of Collaboration

The meetings focused on areas of mutual interest, with Minister Suwaidi expressing particular interest in Kerala’s burgeoning logistics and food processing sectors. The UAE has seen its investments diversify across various industries, and Kerala’s established strengths in these sectors made it an attractive destination for capital inflows. To further assess potential investment opportunities, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce also announced plans to send officials to Kerala for preliminary site evaluations ahead of the IKGS.

The discussions underscored Kerala’s readiness to embrace international investment, as the state continues to evolve as a crucial player in India’s economic landscape.

Ambassador’s Remarks on Kerala’s Strategic Position

During the investor roadshow at Taj Dubai, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Shri Sunjay Sudhir, highlighted the unique strategic position of Kerala in Indo-UAE relations. “Kerala stands out in the trade connection. From humble beginnings, we have reached a stage where India is the UAE’s second-largest trading partner,” Ambassador Sudhir noted. He further underscored the growing economic importance of the UAE’s capital, stating that Abu Dhabi has emerged as the “capital of capital” with its sovereign wealth fund assets surpassing those of many other global financial hubs.

Minister Rajeev’s Vision for Kerala’s Industrial Future

Minister Rajeev took the opportunity to address potential investors and challenge misconceptions about Kerala’s industrial landscape. He emphasized the state’s remarkable contributions to India’s economy, despite its relatively small geographic and demographic footprint. “Despite occupying just 1.16% of India’s land area and 2.8% of its population, Kerala contributes a remarkable 4% to the national GDP,” he pointed out, bolstered by compelling statistics about the state’s diverse industrial achievements.

The minister also spotlighted Kerala’s leadership in the medical device industry, revealing that the state accounts for 24% of India’s total medical device industry turnover and 17% of medical device products. This data demonstrates Kerala’s significant role in the healthcare sector, both domestically and globally.

Technological Innovation at Kerala’s Core

In addition to its industrial prowess, Minister Rajeev highlighted Kerala’s pioneering role in technology. He drew attention to the state’s long history of technological leadership, citing the establishment of Keltron in 1973 – India’s first public-sector electronics company – and Technopark in 1993, which remains the country’s first and largest technology park.

Today, Kerala’s technological expertise continues to shape India’s future, with Keltron managing cutting-edge AI-based traffic control systems for National Highways and smart city projects across the country. These achievements underscore Kerala’s robust infrastructure in technology, making it an attractive destination for both domestic and foreign investors.

Looking Ahead to the Global Summit

With strong backing from the UAE’s business and government leaders, the upcoming Invest Kerala Global Summit is poised to be a landmark event in the state’s investment journey. The summit promises to be an excellent platform for showcasing Kerala’s potential across key sectors, including logistics, food processing, medical devices, and technology. As Kerala continues to foster strong ties with international markets, it is on track to become a major player in the global economic landscape.

As the state gears up for the IKGS in February, all eyes will be on Kerala’s growing role as a dynamic economic hub, driven by innovation, industrial excellence, and strategic international partnerships.

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Goyal emphasized that these transformative measures have revolutionized connectivity across the country. “The launch of the Interconnected Grid and Digital India, along with affordable data reaching every corner of the country, and interactive connectivity reaching every household, have collectively made India the most attractive destination in the world for artificial intelligence, data centers, and Global Capability Centers (GCCs),” the minister stated.

The Union Minister highlighted India’s progress across various sectors, particularly in manufacturing and exports. According to Goyal, these sectors have gained significant momentum in recent years, aided by the establishment of an interconnected ecosystem that is enabling further growth. “India is emerging as a quality-conscious nation, and the establishment of a robust infrastructure is driving our prominence in these emerging sectors,” Goyal added.

Goyal also noted that India’s 5G network expansion is progressing at an impressive pace, ensuring nationwide coverage in the near future. This expansion will further enhance the nation’s connectivity and strengthen its digital ecosystem.

Another key area discussed by Goyal was India’s Interconnected Grid, which boasts a capacity of 450-500 gigawatts, making it one of the most powerful in the world. This, he explained, is a crucial component in enhancing the country’s energy infrastructure and supporting its growth as a technology hub.

In addition to domestic advancements, Goyal also addressed the increasing interest from international companies in India’s market. He revealed that several NASDAQ-listed companies are considering delisting from U.S. stock exchanges to list on Indian bourses. This shift reflects growing global confidence in India’s economic potential.

Regarding Tesla and Starlink’s plans in India, Goyal clarified that he is not directly involved in discussions with these companies. “To the best of my knowledge, there have been no discussions yet. The Ministry of Heavy Industries handles matters related to automobiles, while Starlink comes under the jurisdiction of the space department,” he said.

On the topic of India’s relationship with the United States, Goyal expressed optimism about the future of trade between the two countries, especially under the leadership of President Donald Trump. He highlighted the positive personal and professional rapport between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump, saying, “Our relationship with the United States has gotten better every single year, and Mr. Trump himself has often expressed his confidence in the India-U.S. partnership.”

Concluding his remarks, Goyal reaffirmed India’s continued commitment to establishing itself as a global leader in technology, innovation, and infrastructure. He emphasized that the country’s evolving capabilities make it an attractive destination for global business, paving the way for deeper international collaboration and economic growth.

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