Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik is likely to go on a foreign trip almost after a decade. Naveen’s only visit to a foreign country took place in 2012 when he went to London on the invitation of the Department for International Development (DFID).

But he had to curtail his visit following an alleged coup by one of his close associates late Pyari Mohan Mohapatra. However, while he himself has avoided going out of the country during his 22 years as the chief minister of the state, he had allowed his cabinet colleagues to undertake foreign trips to promote Odisha’s cause and interest.

Official sources said that Naveen would embark on a foreign trip on June 28. He will visit UAE and Rome to attend several events, including some aimed at promoting state industries.

He will take part in an investor’s meet, which will be organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), by Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (IPICOL) and Dubai- based Indian Consulate. He is scheduled to address a meeting of Odia (Non-resident Odias) living in Dubai.

Rajiv Shekhar Sahoo, a well-known charted account, said: “The chief minister going personally to foreign countries and inviting the investors would certainly have a positive impact.”

Naveen is also likely to visit Rome to attend an investors’ meet there. Sources said he is likely to meet Pope Francis, the Head of the Catholic Church in Vatican City. However, there is no official word on this so far.