Tag: Dubai

  • Odisha Chief Minister Launches UAE Investment Roadshow in Abu Dhabi and Dubai

    Odisha Chief Minister Launches UAE Investment Roadshow in Abu Dhabi and Dubai

    Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has embarked on a three-day investment roadshow in the United Arab Emirates, covering Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The visit, his second international investment outreach, aims to attract global capital and showcase Odisha’s industrial opportunities.

    Majhi will meet with UAE government officials, sovereign investment funds, institutional investors, and business leaders. The Odisha government will present the state’s industrial policies, infrastructure, and investment-ready projects to companies operating in the Gulf region.

    Abu Dhabi Meetings

    The chief minister’s program begins in Abu Dhabi, where he will hold a roundtable with International Holding Company (IHC), a major Abu Dhabi-based investment group. He is also scheduled to meet UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi and representatives of sovereign investment funds. The Odisha delegation plans to sign Memoranda of Cooperation to strengthen business ties with UAE institutions.

    Before the trip, Majhi stated, “Our vision is clear: to make Odisha the first choice for investors seeking opportunity, stability and sustainable growth.” He added that the state would use the UAE visit to expand engagement with international investors.

    Dubai Events

    After Abu Dhabi, Majhi will travel to Dubai for direct meetings with company executives and prospective investors. Discussions will focus on potential investment projects and industrial partnerships. He will also attend the Odisha Investors’ Meet in Dubai on September 11, bringing together investors, business representatives, and officials to explore sector opportunities. Additionally, Majhi will engage with the Odia diaspora in the UAE as part of the state’s broader outreach.

    Investment Opportunities

    During the meetings, the Odisha government will showcase its investment-ready projects, industrial infrastructure, and policy support. Officials will discuss emerging sectors seeking domestic and foreign investment. Majhi emphasized, “With a strong focus on EoDB, investor confidence, enabling policies and faster project execution, we are creating an ecosystem where businesses can invest, grow and thrive.”

    The state expects the UAE meetings to open further discussions with companies and investment institutions interested in India, while exploring opportunities to increase trade and industrial cooperation between Odisha and the UAE.

    Senior officials including Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain and Chief Secretary Anu Garg are part of the delegation. The UAE outreach concludes on September 12, after which Majhi will return to Odisha.

  • Standard Chartered Launches Direct USDC Minting and Redemption for Institutional Clients in Dubai

    Standard Chartered Launches Direct USDC Minting and Redemption for Institutional Clients in Dubai

    Standard Chartered has become the first Global Systemically Important Bank to offer direct USDC minting and redemption services to eligible institutional clients. The service, launched through the bank’s Dubai International Financial Centre operations on July 2, 2026, integrates banking, custody, and digital asset access into a single onboarding process.

    In partnership with Circle, the issuer of USDC, Standard Chartered enables institutions to mint and redeem the stablecoin without needing a separate account with Circle. The bank stated that this launch marks the initial phase of a broader stablecoin strategy, with plans to expand into additional markets pending regulatory approvals.

    Dubai Operations Open USDC Access for Institutions

    Standard Chartered is the first systemically important bank licensed to offer institutional access to USDC minting and redemption through its own platform. The service connects fiat banking, digital asset infrastructure, and public blockchain networks under the bank’s existing compliance, governance, and risk management frameworks.

    Eligible clients can now access USDC through the bank’s Dubai operations. Future market expansions will depend on regulatory clearance and local market readiness, though the bank has not yet specified which regions will follow.

    This launch adds another regulated digital asset service to the United Arab Emirates, which has been developing a robust blockchain and stablecoin ecosystem. However, Standard Chartered has not disclosed client numbers, transaction limits, fees, or minimum account requirements.

    Service Supports Settlement, Treasury, and Liquidity

    The service targets institutional use cases such as on-chain settlement, treasury operations, and liquidity management. Clients can move value between traditional banking systems and blockchain networks through a single provider.

    Standard Chartered plans to combine banking, custody, and digital asset services within the same institutional offering, applying its normal controls to stablecoin-related transactions. Roberto Hoornweg, CEO of the bank’s corporate and investment banking division, noted that digital assets are becoming a key part of global financial infrastructure and that institutional clients expect “the same levels of trust and governance” found in traditional markets.

    The current offering focuses on minting and redemption. Clients can create USDC by transferring eligible funds through the bank and redeem the stablecoin back into fiat currency. Payment-related services remain under development, with no launch date announced.

    Circle Partnership Expands Institutional USDC Access

    Circle provides the USDC infrastructure behind the service. The company issues the stablecoin through regulated entities and manages the minting and redemption process. Kash Razzaghi, Circle’s Chief Commercial Officer, said financial institutions are seeking “trusted ways to access stablecoins” and blockchain-based markets, and that the partnership could support settlement, payments, and treasury operations while maintaining compliance standards.

    As of July 2, 2026, USDC traded near $1.00, with a market capitalization of approximately $73.2 billion and a 24-hour trading volume of about $15.6 billion. The stablecoin operates across several public blockchain networks and is widely used for transfers, settlement, trading, and liquidity management.

    Future versions of the service may support payment-related uses, but the bank has not provided a timeline. Retail customers are not included in the initial rollout.

  • Dubai Launches ‘Dubai Business’ Media Platform to Attract Global Investors with Data-Driven Journalism

    Dubai Launches ‘Dubai Business’ Media Platform to Attract Global Investors with Data-Driven Journalism

    Dubai has unveiled a new media platform, ‘Dubai Business’, designed to strengthen economic journalism and present the emirate’s growth story to a global audience. The initiative aligns with Dubai’s broader vision of creating a modern media ecosystem that supports its ambitions as a leading international business and investment destination.

    The platform was approved during a meeting of the Dubai Media Council, chaired by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the council.

    A Dedicated Platform for Business Reporting

    In a post on X, Sheikh Ahmed said: “We approved the launch of Dubai Business, a new media platform under Dubai Media Incorporated. The platform reflects Dubai’s ambitions and global leadership, delivering a new approach to business media that tells the story of the city’s economy through data, achievements, and opportunities.”

    Dubai Business aims to showcase the economic success story of the emirate, its major investments, and strategic initiatives. It will highlight the development journey of the city as it transforms into an international business center, and discuss policies and initiatives affecting international and regional markets.

    Additionally, the platform will cover news about entrepreneurs, startups, investors, and businesses that play a key role in Dubai’s economic development. Officials further explained that the platform will deliver in-depth reporting backed by reliable data and market insights. The initiative aims to improve the quality of economic journalism and offer readers a clearer understanding of Dubai’s evolving business landscape.

    Strengthening Economic Journalism

    The launch follows the city’s strategic economic plan, which emphasizes innovation, technology, sustainability, and global investments. Specialized media reports will enable Dubai to foster transparency while ensuring that people understand the emirate’s economy.

    The launch of Dubai Business demonstrates the growing importance of specialized media as a tool for promoting economic development. As competition among global financial centers intensifies, countries are increasingly turning to platforms that allow them to report their policy reforms and market performance more effectively.

    Based on credible, data-driven reports, Dubai Business will be an essential resource for anyone interested in the changes happening in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.