Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav met Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Expo Centre Sharjah, on the sidelines of the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM Congress-2026) in the United Arab Emirates, with discussions focusing on strengthening bilateral trade ties and attracting investment to the central Indian state on Tuesday.

During the meeting, CM Dr Yadav held detailed discussions with Al Owais on expanding business relations between Madhya Pradesh and Sharjah and exploring investment opportunities across multiple sectors. The chief minister also formally invited the Sharjah Chamber chairman to attend the Global Investors Summit (GIS-2027) in Madhya Pradesh next year.

Business delegation, B2B forum proposed

CM Dr Yadav stressed the need to develop a structured and strategic economic partnership with the Sharjah Chamber. He urged Al Owais to lead a high-level business delegation to Madhya Pradesh to explore investment opportunities and potential collaborations.

The chief minister also proposed setting up a Madhya Pradesh-Sharjah Business Forum to facilitate sector-specific business-to-business (B2B) meetings between entrepreneurs from the two regions.

CM Dr Yadav sought the chamber’s cooperation in connecting Madhya Pradesh’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and exporters with major buyers and distributors in the Gulf countries.

Sharjah-based companies were also invited to consider capital investment in Madhya Pradesh’s food parks, cold-chain infrastructure, logistics, textiles, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy and tourism projects.

MP pitches investor-friendly ecosystem

Highlighting the state’s investment potential, CM Dr Yadav said Madhya Pradesh was emerging as a major investment destination in India, backed by its strategic central location, competitive costs, extensive industrial land bank, modern infrastructure and strong connectivity with major markets across the country.

He said the state government was committed to providing investors with comprehensive support through transparent policies, a swift single-window clearance system and an industry-friendly business environment.

CM Dr Yadav further emphasised that Sharjah’s extensive commercial network and connectivity could play a significant role in boosting exports of Madhya Pradesh’s local products, enhancing skills, generating employment and facilitating technology transfer.

Strong Sharjah-India trade ties

Economic relations between Sharjah and India are supported by the broader India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

The Sharjah Chamber has previously organised trade missions and business forums in India, including in Mumbai, covering sectors such as manufacturing, textiles, jewellery, SMEs, technology, energy, logistics, food industries, tourism and real estate.

Al Owais has served as chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Expo Centre Sharjah since May 2014. He is also vice-chairman of the UAE Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

With extensive leadership experience spanning government, industry, banking, food production, education, agriculture and bilateral business organisations, Al Owais is considered an important figure in Sharjah’s business ecosystem.

The meeting comes as Madhya Pradesh seeks to deepen its engagement with Gulf economies and leverage Sharjah’s commercial network to create new avenues for investment, trade and market access for businesses from the state.