Maharashtra leads the country in building an ecosystem that brings together skills, abundant capital and advanced technology for industrial investment. The state is moving fast on the back of industry-friendly policies, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urged businesses and institutions from the United Kingdom (UK) to invest directly in Maharashtra.
Fadnavis was speaking at the 'Maharashtra-UK Partnership Launch' event at Hotel Taj Palace in Mumbai. After a bilateral meeting with a high-level UK delegation, the two sides exchanged memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to strengthen cooperation in several key sectors.
Action on the ground, not just paper agreements The government is committed to ensuring that investors do not suffer from red tape, the Chief Minister said.
The role of Invest Maharashtra: To speed up projects, Invest Maharashtra will coordinate with all government agencies under one roof.
Effective partnership: The visit by UK ministers, secretaries and mayors is not merely ceremonial. Its main aim is to convert business ties between the two countries into real investment, jobs and agreements.
Foreign university campuses and future cities The Chief Minister said Mumbai is the capital of international finance and trade, while Pune is a major hub for engineering, manufacturing and IT.
Global university campuses: Taking advantage of the National Education Policy, the University of Bristol, the University of York and the University of Aberdeen are setting up campuses in the state.
Future cities: EduCity, MediCity and the AI Innovation City being built in the state will bring the world's best research, institutions and talent together in one place.
Green energy and GCCs: The state will back projects in reducing carbon emissions, energy efficiency and resource recycling. Multinational companies will get full support to set up their global capability centres (GCCs) and research centres.
Fadnavis also expressed confidence that local manufacturers, technology companies and food processing industries will get access to the open British market through this.
“Maharashtra's economy is bigger than Norway's”: Jonathan Reynolds Jonathan Reynolds, UK Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, praised Maharashtra's economic strength. He said:
“For British companies wanting to enter India, Maharashtra is the most natural and safe destination. Maharashtra's economy is bigger than that of Norway, a country in Europe. This success must show up as real jobs and trade, not remain limited to paper agreements. We are committed to making that happen.”
Dignitaries present The programme was attended by Protocol Minister Jaykumar Rawal, Principal Secretary of the Industries Department P. Anbalagan, Chief Protocol Officer Rajesh Gawande and Chief Minister's investment adviser Kaustubh Dhavse.
The UK delegation also included Dame Angela Eagle, Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in Scotland; Secretary of State Douglas Alexander; Sophie Bryce, Director of International Trade; Harshbir Sangha, UK Deputy Trade Commissioner for South Asia; and Harjinder Kang, UK Deputy High Commissioner for Western India. Senior mayors and industry representatives also took part.