State attracts FDI worth Rs 25,000 cr in eight months

Fadnavis had spoken at the World Economic Forum in Davos, followed by visits to Germany, Israel, China and the United States to promote the ‘Make in Maharashtra’ mission to complement the Union government’s ‘Make in India’ mission. Fadnavis made two of the visits — China and Germany — as a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s delegation.

The investment proposals the government received covers core manufacturing sectors such as automotive industry, infrastructure and also information technology.

Fadnavis said, “Overall it is not just about quantum of investment alone but readiness to consider Maharashtra as chosen destination and beginning of new partnership which would be more productive in the coming years.”

Last week, General Motors said it is investing Rs 6,500 crore in manufacturing facilities and its American rival Chrysler too is investing Rs 1,700 crore in Pune to manufacture its marquee brand Grand Cherokee.

Fadnavis said that his efforts to fast-track policy and the ease of doing business has resulted in a positive view on the investment climate in the state among foreign investors.

The state government has eliminated unnecessary procedures and has reduced the permissions needed to start a business at a maximum of 25.

Other investors who have announced investments include US fund Blackstone, in a joint venture with Panchshil, for a Rs 4,500-crore IT park in Navi Mumbai.

French aerospace component manufacturer Safran is in talks with Bharat Forge to enter the defence sector for which discussions are underway with the Union government, an official said.

Swiss elevator manufacturer Schindler has begun production in Pune while the Coca Cola Company is investing Rs 500 crore in a facility at Lote, Chiplun. Digital giants Google and Microsoft are also queueing up to invest in the state. “Google would send its team for pilot projects for technologies such as Street View, Access and Google Education.”

Microsoft is collaborating with the state government to establish a digital village at Maleghat as a pilot project. The project entails providing cloud enabled tertiary health services, education, farming inputs and access to PDS.

Microsoft also would be working on smart MIDC for which Walunj, Chinchwad or Nagpur would be adopted as a pilot project. The company also plans to set up cyber security centres in Pune.

Apart from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Pune, investments are also flowing into Nagpur with Boeing looking at an expansion of its facility and engaging Singapore Airlines in setting up training facilities.