Rajasthan CM invites UAE firms to invest in energy, hospitality sectors

Jaipur, Aug 20 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Thursday invited UAE companies to invest in the state, particularly in the energy and hospitality sectors, during the UAE‑Rajasthan Tourism and Investment Round Table meeting with Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, at Rambagh Palace Hotel in Jaipur.

Sharma said Rajasthan, with its forts, palaces, havelis, deserts, wildlife sanctuaries, gems and jewellery, handicrafts, textiles and minerals, offers immense investment potential for UAE companies. He assured investors of full government support, adding that investments in Rajasthan promise gains, not losses.

The Chief Minister highlighted that the state has implemented several policies, including the Rajasthan Aerospace and Defence Policy, to create a favourable industrial environment. Rajasthan is also rapidly moving towards self‑reliance in the energy sector.

In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Development as well as Heritage” (Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi), the state government has identified 662 historic havelis in the Shekhawati region for conservation.

Praising the UAE leadership, Sharma said the country took special care of the Indian community during the Gulf crisis. He said relations between India and the UAE have steadily strengthened, with PM Modi’s visit to the UAE in May 2026 giving the partnership fresh momentum.

Bilateral trade between India and the UAE has consistently exceeded $100 billion over the past two years, he added. Sharma also pointed out that the approximately 4.5 million Indians living in the UAE, including a significant number of expatriates from Rajasthan, serve as a strong bridge between the two countries.

Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri described the relationship between PM Modi and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as “truly special.”

He noted that India and the UAE have signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Expressing his fondness for India, Al Marri praised the country’s cuisine, particularly Rajasthan’s Kaju Katli, and observed that hospitality holds a prominent place in both the UAE and Rajasthan.

He said UAE companies are keen to invest in Rajasthan’s hospitality sector and expressed a desire to strengthen air connectivity between Jaipur and Dubai.

The UAE minister said the UAE‑Rajasthan Tourism and Investment Round Table would further strengthen the partnership between India and the UAE. He also invited Chief Minister Sharma to visit Dubai.

--IANS

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