Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav held a one-to-one meeting with prominent industrialists in Dubai on Tuesday, seeking to strengthen investment opportunities in the state and open up global markets for its agricultural and processed food products.

The meeting was held at Taj Dubai on the third day of the three-day AIM Congress-2026, where CM Dr Yadav held detailed discussions with LT Pagrani, chairman of the Choithram Group, a multinational conglomerate with a strong presence in supermarkets, distribution and manufacturing.

During the interaction, the chief minister apprised Pagrani of Madhya Pradesh’s investment policies and business opportunities. He also invited the Choithram Group to participate in the Global Investors Summit (GIS)-2027, scheduled to be held in Madhya Pradesh next year.

Choithram Group’s global retail footprint

Headquartered in Dubai, the Choithram Group is an established international business group that has been operating since 1943. With an estimated annual turnover of around Rs 1,670 crore, the group has a strong presence across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Europe, North America and Africa.

Its areas of expertise include retail, food services, logistics and brand distribution, making the group a potential strategic partner for Madhya Pradesh as the state looks to expand modern retail infrastructure and connect local producers with international markets.

Modern retail infrastructure planned in MP

During the meeting, discussions centred on developing modern commercial infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh. As part of the proposed partnership, the group will establish supermarkets and modern grocery retail formats in major cities across the state.

To support these retail operations, plans also include setting up a central distribution centre, modern warehousing facilities and cold-chain infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh. The facilities are expected to help create an integrated supply chain capable of handling agricultural and food products efficiently.

Farmers, local producers to gain global access

A key aspect of the proposed industrial collaboration is the direct procurement of agricultural and processed food products from local producers and farmers in Madhya Pradesh.

The partnership will also focus on using locally sourced raw materials to give a boost to food processing, packaging and private-label manufacturing within the state. This could create additional opportunities for local entrepreneurs while strengthening the value chain for agricultural produce.

More significantly, Madhya Pradesh’s processed food and agricultural products will gain access to international consumers through the Choithram Group’s extensive retail network across the GCC.

The proposed collaboration is therefore aimed not merely at attracting investment, but also at creating a direct link between Madhya Pradesh’s farmers and producers and overseas markets.

For the state, the initiative could provide local agricultural products with a wider international platform while encouraging investment in processing, logistics, warehousing and modern retail.