Maharashtra Offers an Excellent Ecosystem for Industry and Investment: CM Devendra Fadnavis

Delegation of UK Members of Parliament Meets the Chief Minister

Mumbai, March 2026: Maharashtra is one of the leading destinations for foreign investment in India and serves as the country’s economic powerhouse as well as its startup capital, said Devendra Fadnavis. Highlighting the state’s strong investment ecosystem, the Chief Minister invited investors from the United Kingdom to explore opportunities and invest in Maharashtra.

Fadnavis made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation of British Members of Parliament led by Liam Byrne at the Mantralaya in Mumbai.

During the interaction, the Chief Minister said the state has set an ambitious goal of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy. He noted that Maharashtra is the country’s technology hub and contributes about 13 percent to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He also pointed out that nearly 60 percent of India’s data centre capacity is located in Maharashtra, making the state a major hub for digital infrastructure and technology-driven industries. Addressing the visiting delegation, he said they act as true ambassadors of the United Kingdom and that their visit is extremely important for strengthening ties between Maharashtra and Britain.

Fadnavis also referred to the comprehensive economic and trade agreement between India and the United Kingdom, stating that it would prove to be a milestone for both regions. The agreement is expected to significantly boost trade and economic cooperation between Maharashtra and the UK.

The Chief Minister highlighted that significant investments are flowing into the manufacturing sector across all regions of the state. He further stated that the government is working toward achieving a target of generating 52 percent of the state’s energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030.

He also spoke about developments in the education sector. Following new policies introduced by the central government allowing foreign universities to operate in India, Maharashtra is developing an EduCity project in the Navi Mumbai region to provide infrastructure for international educational institutions.

Letters of Intent have already been issued to universities from the United Kingdom to establish academic campuses in EduCity. According to the Chief Minister, these universities are expected to start their academic programmes from this year, and the facility is being designed to accommodate around one lakh students.

Fadnavis also drew comparisons between Mumbai and London, noting that both cities share similar potential for financial growth and economic development. He said that a global financial centre is being planned in Mumbai to further strengthen its status as a leading international financial hub.

Similarly, he pointed out that Pune and Birmingham share strong similarities in the automobile manufacturing sector, offering significant opportunities for collaboration and joint growth.

Fadnavis said that the favourable investment ecosystem created in Maharashtra offers numerous opportunities for British investors. He expressed confidence that partnerships between Maharashtra and the United Kingdom would contribute to a bright and mutually beneficial future.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, MP Liam Byrne praised Maharashtra, stating that the state is not only India’s economic powerhouse but is also becoming an attractive destination for investors from across the world.

During the meeting, senior officials including Ashwini Bhide, Manisha Verma, P. Anbalagan, Shrikar Pardeshi, and Kaustubh Dhavse briefed the delegation on investment opportunities in the state.

Members of the British delegation including Justin Madders, Alison Griffiths, Sonia Kumar, John Cooper, Sarah Edwards and Joshua Reynolds also shared their views during the discussion. The meeting was coordinated by Chief Protocol Officer Rajesh Gavande