Madhya Pradesh CM in UAE: Seeks direct Dubai flights, meets Emirates, Air India officials

Dubai: The central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh is rolling out the red carpet for UAE-based investors. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, currently on a three-day visit to the UAE, is seeking investments by highlighting the state’s investor-friendly policies, ease-of-doing-business reforms, and attractive incentives. However, he expressed hope for more direct flights between the UAE and Madhya Pradesh to facilitate faster, more efficient travel, boosting trade, logistics, and, importantly, investor confidence.

The Chief Minister told Gulf News that the state has introduced 18 investor-friendly policies.
“We have robust infrastructure and attractive policies. We’ve received more support than expected here in the UAE. Major players from diverse sectors have shown interest,” he said, referring to industries such as food processing, energy, renewables, real estate, IT, and logistics.

Yadav revealed he had met top officials from Emirates and Air India, and remains hopeful about the launch of more direct flights. He highlighted that under the Madhya Pradesh Civil Aviation Policy 2025, financial incentives are available for new international routes, including Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of up to 1.5 million Indian rupees (more than Dh64,000) per trip.

“No other state in India offers this,” he said, noting that currently, only Air India Express operates a direct Sharjah–Indore flight.
“It’s a matter of promoting the route in Dubai. Many businesspeople want to come. We just need a little support for the flights. We’ve held talks with both Air India and Emirates and offered them VGF.”

Separately, Yadav also met members of the expat community and visited the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi (video below).

Yadav also met UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, while focusing on expanding economic and industrial cooperation under the India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). He said Madhya Pradesh is ready to leverage the partnership to unlock new avenues in investment, trade, and technology.

“We have a talented young population, affordable labour, surplus power, and abundant water supply,” noted Yadav, who will conclude his visit on Tuesday.

Investors are promised a one-stop solution via a single-window clearance system offering 54 services across 13 departments. The state ensures business setup within 30 days, backed by good governance.

With 27 per cent of India’s total organic farming area, Madhya Pradesh leads the country in organic cultivation. It also boasts several national firsts, including India’s largest integrated textile park, Sanchi – the country’s first solar city, mega solar power plant in Rewa. The diamond producing state is also rich in minerals and mines. Its capital, Bhopal, and largest city, Indore, consistently top India’s cleanliness rankings. The state is rich in tourism assets, with three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Khajuraho, Sanchi, and Bhimbetka, along with 12 national parks. Known as the “Tiger State of India,” Madhya Pradesh is home to India’s ambitious cheetah reintroduction project.