Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav’s Investment Pitch in Dubai and Spain 2025

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav embarked on a strategic overseas tour from July 13 to 19, 2025, visiting Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, followed by Barcelona and Madrid in Spain, to position Madhya Pradesh as a prime destination for global investment. The visit, part of the state’s “Industry and Employment Year 2025” initiative, aims to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in sectors such as renewable energy, textiles, food processing, tourism, logistics, IT, and advanced manufacturing. CM Yadav’s agenda includes high-level meetings with business leaders, trade associations, and government representatives, alongside the inaugural international roadshow for “Invest in Madhya Pradesh.” The tour builds on previous successful visits to the UK, Germany, and Japan, which secured ₹75,000 crore in investment proposals. This report details the objectives, key engagements, targeted sectors, and implications of the visit, highlighting Madhya Pradesh’s emergence as a hub for industrial growth and global partnerships.

Background

Madhya Pradesh, centrally located in India, has emerged as a promising investment destination due to its investor-friendly policies, robust infrastructure, and abundant natural resources. Under CM Mohan Yadav’s leadership, the state has prioritized industrial development, hosting the Global Investors Summit in February 2025, which attracted over 4,000 participants, including 3,000 MSMEs and international delegates from 10 countries. Previous overseas tours to the UK and Germany (November–December 2024) and Japan (January 2025) yielded significant investment commitments, initiating projects in health technology, electronics, and automobiles. The July 2025 tour to Dubai and Spain is a strategic step to further elevate Madhya Pradesh’s global profile, leveraging the UAE’s logistics and investment expertise and Spain’s strengths in green mobility and textiles to foster economic growth and job creation.

Key Developments

Objectives of the Visit

CM Yadav’s tour, spanning July 13–19, 2025, aims to:

Attract FDI in high-growth sectors like renewable energy, textiles, food processing, tourism, logistics, IT, urban infrastructure, and mining.
Foster technology transfer and innovation through partnerships with global firms.
Promote Madhya Pradesh’s cultural and tourism potential, particularly heritage and religious tourism.
Strengthen ties with the Indian diaspora to encourage investment and collaboration.
Lay the groundwork for the upcoming Global Investors Summit by showcasing the state’s industrial ecosystem.

Itinerary and Engagements

Dubai and Abu Dhabi (July 13–15, 2025)

July 13: CM Yadav arrived in Dubai on Sunday afternoon, kicking off the tour with a meeting with prominent figures, including Reliance Group SR Vice President Farhan Ansari and Arab Parliament Speaker Mohammad Al Yamahi. Discussions focused on strategic investment cooperation, education, youth exchange programs, parliamentary dialogue, and cultural ties between Madhya Pradesh and Dubai.
Indian Business Delegation: Yadav met with the Indian Business and Professional Council to highlight Madhya Pradesh’s industrial readiness, investor-friendly policies, and infrastructure. Talks emphasized partnerships with retail and infrastructure giants like Lulu International Group, Landmark Group, and Nakheel Group for logistics parks, warehousing, and retail chains.
Cultural Engagement: The CM visited the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, whose foundation stone was laid by PM Narendra Modi in February 2024, symbolizing cultural harmony between India and the UAE. He also participated in the “NRI and Friends of MP Samvad” program at the Taj Hotel, engaging over 500 NRI entrepreneurs and professionals to foster diaspora investment.
International Roadshow: Yadav launched the first international roadshow for “Industry and Employment Year 2025” at the “Invest in Madhya Pradesh-Business Forum” at the Taj Hotel, showcasing opportunities in food processing, renewable energy, logistics, IT, and tourism. Investors expressed interest in farm-to-market supply chains, solar-green energy, data centers, and religious tourism.
Tourism Roundtable: A roundtable with tourism experts highlighted Madhya Pradesh’s potential as a heritage tourism hub, focusing on sites like Khajuraho and Sanchi.

Spain (July 16–19, 2025)

Barcelona: From July 16, Yadav engaged with leading automobile companies and green mobility technology investors, emphasizing collaborations in electric vehicles (EVs) and sustainable transport. Meetings with textile, garment, and design firms aimed to boost initiatives like the PM MITRA Park, Textile ODOP, and clusters like Vardhman.
Madrid: Discussions with Spanish government officials and trade associations focused on skill development, innovation, and long-term economic ties. The visit highlighted Madhya Pradesh’s tourism potential, aiming to attract investment in heritage hospitality.
Investor Meetings: One-on-one sessions explored joint ventures and FDI projects in urban infrastructure, smart city models, rare earth mineral processing, and export-oriented textile hubs.

Targeted Sectors

The tour prioritizes sectors with high growth potential:

Renewable Energy: Solar and green energy projects, leveraging Madhya Pradesh’s abundant sunlight and land availability.
Textiles: Export-oriented hubs and clusters like Vardhman, supported by the PM MITRA Park initiative.
Food Processing: Farm-to-market supply chains and cold chain logistics to capitalize on the state’s agricultural strengths.
Tourism: Heritage and religious tourism, promoting sites like Khajuraho, Sanchi, and Ujjain.
Logistics and IT: Partnerships with firms like Lulu Group for logistics parks and data centers.
Advanced Manufacturing and Mining: Focus on automobiles, green mobility, and rare earth mineral processing.

Strategic Context

Previous Successes: Yadav’s earlier visits to the UK, Germany, and Japan secured ₹75,000 crore in investment proposals, initiating projects in health technology, electronics, and automobiles. The Dubai and Spain tour builds on this momentum.
Global Investors Summit: The tour serves as a precursor to the summit, showcasing Madhya Pradesh’s industrial potential to a global audience.
Cultural Diplomacy: Visits to the BAPS temple and engagements with the Indian diaspora strengthen cultural ties, encouraging NRI investment.

Driving Factors

Investor-Friendly Policies

Madhya Pradesh offers competitive incentives, including tax breaks, land subsidies, and streamlined approvals through the Department of Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion (DIPIP). The state’s single-window clearance system and robust infrastructure, including 50% of India’s population within a 1,000-km radius, enhance its appeal.

Strategic Location and Resources

Located at India’s heart, Madhya Pradesh provides access to major markets and is rich in natural resources, making it a food basket and a hub for mining and agriculture. Its connectivity via highways, railways, and airports supports logistics and industrial growth.

Global Investment Trends

The UAE’s expertise in logistics and retail, combined with Spain’s strengths in green mobility and textiles, aligns with Madhya Pradesh’s priorities. Growing global interest in India’s manufacturing and renewable energy sectors, driven by policies like Make in India, positions the state favorably.

Political Support

CM Yadav’s proactive leadership, backed by PM Narendra Modi’s vision for economic self-reliance, has elevated Madhya Pradesh’s global profile. The state’s focus on youth skilling and international cooperation aligns with national goals.

Challenges and Criticisms

Opposition Critique: The Madhya Pradesh Congress, led by Jitu Patwari, criticized the tour, demanding a white paper on outcomes from Yadav’s prior foreign visits to the UK, Germany, and Japan, which cost ₹18 crore. They argue that tangible investment results remain unclear.
Rural Infrastructure Gaps: X users and local stakeholders highlight that rural Madhya Pradesh lacks basic infrastructure like roads and electricity, urging the government to prioritize local development alongside foreign investment.
High Expectations: Investors expect rapid implementation of promised projects, which could strain state resources if not managed effectively.
Geopolitical Risks: Global trade tensions, such as U.S. tariffs on India, could impact investor confidence, requiring diplomatic finesse.

Implications for Madhya Pradesh

Economic Growth: Successful investments could boost Madhya Pradesh’s GDP, with sectors like renewable energy and textiles creating thousands of jobs. The state’s focus on logistics and IT could transform supply chains, enhancing competitiveness.
Job Creation: The emphasis on youth skilling and university linkages could address unemployment, particularly among Madhya Pradesh’s young population.
Global Visibility: The tour elevates Madhya Pradesh’s profile as an investment hub, attracting attention from global firms and NRIs, potentially leading to billions in FDI.
Tourism Boost: Promoting heritage sites like Khajuraho and Sanchi could drive tourism revenue, with improved air connectivity (e.g., Bhopal to Dubai flights) enhancing accessibility.
Diaspora Engagement: The “NRI and Friends of MP Samvad” program strengthens ties with the Indian diaspora, encouraging investment and cultural exchange.

CM Mohan Yadav’s tour to Dubai and Spain from July 13–19, 2025, marks a pivotal step in positioning Madhya Pradesh as a global investment hub. By targeting high-growth sectors like renewable energy, textiles, and tourism, and leveraging cultural diplomacy, the visit builds on the state’s prior successes in attracting ₹75,000 crore in investment proposals. Engagements with global firms like Lulu Group, Nakheel, and Spanish textile companies, alongside the “Invest in Madhya Pradesh-Business Forum,” underscore the state’s investor-friendly policies and strategic location. However, addressing opposition critiques and rural infrastructure gaps will be crucial to sustaining momentum. As Madhya Pradesh prepares for the Global Investors Summit, this tour lays a strong foundation for economic growth, job creation, and global partnerships, cementing its status as one of India’s most promising investment destinations.