The Odisha government will undertake a three-day investment outreach to the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 11, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, as the state steps up efforts to attract global capital, expand export-oriented industries and strengthen business ties with the UAE.

The outreach will cover Abu Dhabi and Dubai, bringing together UAE-based investors, sovereign and institutional funds, financial institutions, industry leaders, Indian business professionals and business organisations to explore investment, technology collaboration, industrial partnerships, exports and value-chain opportunities in Odisha.

A key focus of the visit will be on export-oriented manufacturing and materials, building on Odisha’s established strengths in metals and metallurgy while seeking investments in higher-value manufacturing and downstream industries.

The state will showcase opportunities across metallurgy and metals downstream industries, food and seafood exports, port-based industrial and logistics parks, shipbuilding, rare earths, slurry pipeline infrastructure, and chemical and petrochemical parks.

With its established industrial base and strategic location along India’s eastern coast, Odisha is positioning its ports and related infrastructure as major drivers of future industrial growth. The government expects port-led development to open up opportunities for integrated manufacturing, logistics, exports and global supply-chain linkages.

The UAE engagement will also seek to accelerate Odisha’s transition from traditional industrial sectors towards technology-driven, higher-value industries, with an emphasis on developing integrated value chains within the state and connecting local production with international markets.

In Abu Dhabi, the Odisha delegation is scheduled to hold discussions with leading investment institutions, fund houses, sovereign investment platforms and UAE-based organisations. The talks will focus on investment opportunities, foreign direct investment, industrial partnerships and long-term capital participation.

The Dubai leg will feature meetings with industry leaders, metals and downstream companies, logistics and infrastructure players and other potential investors. Sector-specific roundtables and one-to-one meetings are expected to provide a platform for the state to pitch specific projects while understanding the requirements of global companies looking to expand their presence in India.

A major component of the programme will be meetings with fund houses and UAE-based organisations, focusing on project financing, strategic partnerships and FDI opportunities in Odisha. The delegation will also engage with the Indian business community in the UAE, including professionals and business leaders who could help deepen India-UAE economic ties and facilitate international business connections for Odisha.

The Odisha Investors Meet – UAE will serve as a broader platform to showcase the state’s investment ecosystem, emerging opportunities and sector-specific projects to investors from the UAE and the wider MENA region. The government expects the programme to generate potential investment commitments and new industrial partnerships.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said Odisha was seeking partnerships that could connect the state with global capital, technology and markets while strengthening its industrial ecosystem. “Odisha has a strong industrial foundation and immense potential to become a major hub for export-oriented and value-added manufacturing. Through our UAE outreach, we seek to connect Odisha with global capital, technology, markets and strategic partners. Our focus is on building long-term partnerships that can transform our industrial ecosystem, strengthen value chains and create new opportunities for our people.”

Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain said the government was targeting both established and emerging sectors, with a focus on value addition, exports and technology adoption. “From metallurgy, metals and downstream industries to ports, logistics, food and seafood exports, rare earths, shipbuilding, chemicals and petrochemicals, we are presenting a wide range of investment opportunities. We are particularly looking at investments that promote value addition, exports, technology adoption and the transition towards higher-value industries.”

The UAE outreach forms part of Odisha’s broader strategy to attract global investment and technology while strengthening export-oriented production, port-led industrialisation and international value-chain integration.

A journey on Etihad Rail’s Abu Dhabi–Fujairah passenger service is getting a distinctly Emirati flavour.

Passengers travelling between the two emirates can now enjoy an onboard menu inspired by the UAE’s culinary traditions, with dishes and drinks designed to bring local flavours into the modern rail experience.

The menu, created by Capital Catering, the food and beverage arm of ADNEC Group, was developed around the concept A Journey Through the Emirates.

The idea is simple: as passengers travel through the UAE, they can experience some of the country’s flavours and hospitality along the way.

What’s on the Etihad Rail menu?

The menu uses ingredients closely associated with Emirati cuisine and hospitality, including dates, saffron, cardamom, local honey and Arabic coffee.One of the standout dishes is a contemporary interpretation of machboos, a traditional rice dish.

The Etihad Rail version features slow-braised short rib served with fragrant Emirati-spiced rice, combining familiar flavours with a more modern presentation.

The menu has been designed to cater to different journey times, with options available for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.

Passengers travelling in both Comfort and Premium classes have access to specially curated selections.

There’s a menu for younger passengers too

Families travelling by rail haven’t been overlooked.

Etihad Rail has introduced a dedicated children’s menu, designed to make the onboard dining experience more accessible for younger passengers.

The offering forms part of the railway’s wider effort to create a comfortable and welcoming experience for families and travellers of different ages.

Passengers get a taste of Emirati hospitality

For a limited period marking the launch of passenger services, travellers are also being welcomed with a complimentary Ghaf Juice Shot.

The drink takes its inspiration from the UAE’s national tree, the Ghaf.

Passengers can also enjoy locally inspired chocolates in flavours including:

• Seven spices
• Date and caramel
• Gahwa and cardamom

Traditional Arabic coffee is also available onboard, alongside fresh juices, specialty coffees and premium teas.

Together, the selection gives passengers more than a conventional train meal — it introduces elements of Emirati hospitality during the journey itself.

Who created the Etihad Rail menu?

The menu was developed by award-winning chef Maitha Warshaw, a UAE culinary talent known for presenting Emirati flavours through contemporary techniques.

Warshaw has represented the UAE internationally, including serving as Executive Chef of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka.

Her approach focuses on taking familiar elements of Emirati cuisine and presenting them in ways that appeal to modern diners while retaining their cultural identity.

More than just a train journey

For Etihad Rail, the food offering is intended to become part of the overall passenger experience rather than simply an onboard service.

The railway says the journey is an opportunity for passengers to experience different aspects of the UAE, from the landscapes outside their windows to the country’s food, traditions and hospitality.

That means travellers on the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route can experience a modern form of transport while also getting a culinary introduction to the country.

For passengers, the new menu adds another layer to the Etihad Rail experience, offering a taste of Emirati culture while the train carries them across the UAE.

Passengers travelling through Dubai International Airport (DXB) can now check if they’re eligible to use Smart Gates before reaching passport control.

Dubai Airports has introduced the new Smart Gates Pre-Eligibility Verification service in partnership with the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) to make immigration faster and reduce waiting times.

How it works

Travellers can instantly verify their Smart Gate eligibility through the Pocket Flights platform or by scanning QR codes placed across airport terminals and boarding gates.

The service lets passengers know in advance whether they can use the automated passport gates, helping them avoid uncertainty at immigration.

Faster airport experience

Dubai Airports says the new feature is part of its ongoing efforts to streamline passenger journeys and improve the overall airport experience.

By allowing travellers to confirm eligibility before reaching passport control, the airport aims to speed up immigration processing and make travel through DXB more seamless for millions of passengers each year.