CM Devendra Fadnavis held discussions with industry leaders on technology, digitisation, and AI applications in security. PIC/X
Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis, who is in Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Annual Meeting, on Tuesday said that Maharashtra's participation is a strategic effort to attract knowledge, advanced technology, and foreign direct investment (FDI) to India and, in particular, to the state. On Day 2 of his visit, the state government announced the âRaigad-Pen Growth Centre', marking the launch of the first city in the planned âThird Mumbai' region, envisioned to decongest Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
Addressing the media, the CM said a series of strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed on the day, focusing not on investments alone but also on the transfer of global best practices in knowledge and technology. These included technical cooperation agreements with the University of California, Berkeley; Technical University of Munich; Urban Futures Collective (London); ICCI (Italy); Along Tuning Institute; Norwegian Geotechnical Institute; and Surbana Jurong (Singapore), among others.
"These collaborations will strengthen Maharashtra's capabilities in urban planning, transport systems and infrastructure development. Through the Davos visit, we are able to bring together knowledge, technology and FDI, which ultimately benefits both the state and the country," Fadnavis said.
He added that interactions with global leaders in urban planning and transportation would help design efficient mobility and infrastructure solutions for cities across Maharashtra.
Fadnavis said Maharashtra is committed to delivering high-quality and timely healthcare services to the last mile. According to the Maharashtra government, positive and constructive discussions were held at Davos in a dedicated medical technology session, leading to the formulation of a roadmap for strengthening healthcare infrastructure in the state. Efforts are also underway to build a robust MedTech startup ecosystem in collaboration with leading global companies that have successfully developed such systems worldwide.
The Raigad-Pen Growth Centre will be developed around 15-20 km from the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. The announcement was made at Davos following the completion of regulatory approvals that had been in process for the last three to four years.
The project will be developed on a plug-and-play, ready-to-start model, enabling businesses to commence operations immediately. It will be India's first such city developed through a public-private partnership (PPP) model involving the state government, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), and private partners.
A new business district on the lines of Mumbai's Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) will be created, offering high-paying employment opportunities, global capability centres, and a strong fintech ecosystem. Following the announcement, MoUs worth approximately Rs 1 lakh crore have been signed. Global investors who have shown interest include South Korea's Havana Group, Switzerland's SSB Group and Ansar, US-based FedEx and Tribeca Developers, Finland's RiverRecycle Group, Dubai's MGSA Group, Singapore's Spaces and Mapletree, and IndoSpace Parks, among others.
"This investment will help build a world-class city with âwalk-to-work' facilities. The first city of Third Mumbai is now set to become a reality," Fadnavis said
The Maharashtra Pavilion at Davos emerged as a major attraction, drawing industry leaders, investors and dignitaries. Fadnavis and Maharashtra Industry Minister Dr Uday Samant welcomed visitors at the pavilion. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also visited the India Pavilion, where he met the CM.
Fadnavis held discussions with World Bank President Ajay Banga on developing a Green Industrial Corridor in Maharashtra, which could boost FDI, strengthen MSME competitiveness and enhance export capacity.
He also met Bermuda Prime Minister David Burt, with discussions focusing on inclusive development, people-centric governance and innovation-led growth, aimed at building long-term international partnerships.
Hyundai Motor Company Chairman Chung Eui-sun (Sung Kim) met the CM and praised Maharashtra's EV policy, announcing plans to introduce five new models. Discussions were also held on CSR initiatives in education, training and skill development, and an invitation was extended to inaugurate Hyundai's Pune project. JBIC Governor Hayashi Nobumitsu highlighted significant green investment opportunities in EV buses and urban mobility under India-Japan cooperation.
AP Moller-Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc discussed terminal investment opportunities worth USD 2.5 billion in Maharashtra and the India-EU supply chain corridor.
Finland's Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation and the possibility of hosting a circular economy conference in Mumbai during May-June.
Meetings were also held with Israel Innovation Authority Chairman Alon Stopel, Hewlett-Packard Chairperson Patricia Russo and Senior Vice-President Bhawna Agarwal on AI-driven security and digitisation, Antora Energy CEO Andrew Ponec on thermal energy storage and zero-carbon industrial heat, and MIT Media Lab Executive Director Jessica Rosenworcel.
The Davos engagements, the CM said, underline Maharashtra's readiness to partner globally for sustainable, technology-driven and inclusive growth.
