Canada Has Numerous Investment Opportunities in Maharashtra: CM Devendra Fadnavis Welcome Programme for Canadian Delegation

Mumbai, March 2026 : As the world faces the dual challenge of environmental conservation and the climate change crisis while striving for development, Maharashtra too is moving ahead by addressing these challenges and marking steady progress. Highlighting this, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that Canada has several promising investment opportunities in Maharashtra and appealed to Canadian educational institutions and entrepreneurs to invest in the state.

The Chief Minister was speaking at a welcome programme organised for Canada’s Minister of National Revenue François-Philippe Champagne, the Premier of New Brunswick Susan Holt, and the accompanying delegation at Taj Palace.

Also present on the occasion were Minister for Protocol Jaykumar Rawal, Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, Municipal Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Bhushan Gagrani, CIDCO Managing Director Vijay Singhal, the Chief Minister’s Investment Advisor Kaustubh Dhavse, Additional Chief Secretary (Higher and Technical Education) Venugopal Reddy, Industries Secretary P. Anbalagan, and other senior officials.

Chief Minister Fadnavis said that large-scale infrastructure projects are currently underway across the state. Mumbai has received a second international airport, and the Navi Mumbai International Airport will open up vast development opportunities in the region. He noted that an international ‘EduCity’ is being developed in Navi Mumbai, where renowned foreign universities will establish their campuses. So far, five universities have been issued Letters of Intent, and the state government is working to provide world-class infrastructure for these institutions.

He further pointed out that nearly 60 percent of Maharashtra’s population is below the age of 27, and a large number of students from the state pursue higher education in Canada. In view of this, he urged Canadian universities to establish campuses in the upcoming international EduCity at Navi Mumbai.

The Chief Minister said that Canada has made significant progress in artificial intelligence, advanced technology, and environmental conservation, supported by robust institutional frameworks. On similar lines, the Maharashtra government is working towards building a future-ready state by promoting data centres, Global Capability Centres, startups, and emerging technologies. He also referred to a recently organised conference on the use of artificial intelligence in agriculture, where in-depth deliberations were held. AI is being actively used for agricultural development, and farmers in the state are being brought onto digital platforms through the Agri Stack initiative, supported by the MahaVistar programme.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has undergone significant transformation over the past decade, and Maharashtra has played an active role in this journey, the Chief Minister said.

He added that the Canadian delegation’s visit to India and the programme in Mumbai mark a true beginning of strengthened bilateral relations. He expressed hope that Canada would continue to visit India and Maharashtra in the future to further deepen cooperation.

Speaking on the occasion, Canada’s National Revenue Minister François-Philippe Champagne said that India–Canada bilateral relations have a long history and expressed confidence that this cooperation would grow stronger in the years ahead. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt also spoke about strengthening ties and cooperation between Maharashtra and New Brunswick.

Industries Secretary P. Anbalagan made a presentation on the state’s industrial policy and ease of doing business initiatives. Additional Metropolitan Commissioner of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Vikram Kumar, presented details of ongoing infrastructure projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. CIDCO Managing Director Vijay Singhal gave a presentation on the Navi Mumbai International Airport, EduCity, MediCity, AeroCity, and the International Trade Centre at Kharghar. Additional Chief Secretary Venugopal Reddy outlined the infrastructure being developed for foreign universities in Navi Mumbai and the overall higher education landscape in the state. A short film showcasing Maharashtra’s development transformation was also screened on behalf of the Mitra organisation.

The programme was moderated by the Chief Minister’s Investment Advisor Kaustubh Dhavse and was attended by members of the Canadian delegation, university representatives, CEOs of Indian companies, entrepreneurs, and senior officials from concerned departments.