15 October,2026 04:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday held discussions with Czech Republic Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlicek. Pic/ CMO Maharashtra
Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday held discussions with Czech Republic Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlicek and his delegation on investment opportunities across advanced mobility, electric buses, public transport, mining, energy and industrial technology.
In a post on X, Fadnavis said the discussions focused on local manufacturing, strengthening supply chains and expanding collaboration between companies in Maharashtra and the Czech Republic.
"From manufacturing to technology transfers, there is an immense scope for collaboration between companies of Maharashtra and Czech Republic as well as academic partnerships between Czech universities and Maharashtra's institutions," Fadnavis said.
He also expressed confidence that the discussions would lead to meaningful outcomes, assuring the delegation of the Maharashtra government's full support.
The meeting comes amid efforts to strengthen industrial and economic ties between Maharashtra and the Czech Republic, with potential cooperation spanning manufacturing, automation, technology transfer and academic partnerships.
Meamwhile, Protocol Minister Jaykumar Rawal appealed at a meeting of Indian and Czech industry representatives organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at Hotel Taj President in Mumbai, in the presence of Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade Karel Havlicek.
Rawal said Czech companies should look beyond selling products in India and consider setting up manufacturing units in Maharashtra to build long-term partnerships and contribute to local production and technological development.
He highlighted the Czech Republic's expertise in engineering, automobile manufacturing, aerospace, advanced machinery, robotics and scientific research, saying these strengths could complement Maharashtra's skilled workforce and industrial infrastructure.
Rawal said Maharashtra had emerged as a major contributor to India's economic growth under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He cited the state's industrial capabilities and investment opportunities as key reasons for Czech businesses to expand their presence in India.
He highlighted Mumbai's position as the country's financial and commercial hub, Pune's strengths in automobile manufacturing, engineering and technology, and Nashik's opportunities in manufacturing, aerospace and agriculture. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and other industrial centres across Maharashtra are also witnessing an expansion of manufacturing activities, he said.
The minister identified automobile manufacturing, engineering, industrial automation, electric vehicles, aerospace-related production and defence supply chains as key areas for bilateral cooperation.
He also urged Czech companies to explore opportunities in artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity and laser technology, with an emphasis on research, innovation and the creation of high-skilled jobs.
Rawal said Maharashtra and the Czech Republic could also collaborate in environmentally sustainable technologies, recycling, waste management, energy efficiency, agriculture, food processing and packaging technology.
Modern construction, architecture and smart building solutions were other areas offering potential for cooperation.
Such partnerships could improve productivity, promote value addition and create new opportunities for farmers and industries, he said.
Rawal also expressed confidence that the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement would open up further avenues for economic cooperation and strengthen business ties.
Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade Karel Havlicek highlighted India's economic development and growing technological capabilities, saying the Czech delegation was visiting the country to explore opportunities for closer cooperation.
The delegation's visits to Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai were aimed at understanding India's political, economic and technological strengths and identifying potential areas of collaboration.
Havlicek said the Czech Republic's industrial expertise, universities, research and development ecosystem, and value-added manufacturing sector were among its key strengths.
He said the Czech Republic was keen to deepen industrial ties with India, adding that the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement could expand trade and economic cooperation across a market representing more than two billion people.
Havlicek expressed hope that the meeting would strengthen trade, investment, technology transfer and industrial partnerships between Maharashtra and the Czech Republic.
CII Western Region Chairman Veer Advani said the India-Czech economic partnership was entering a new phase centred on joint manufacturing, co-development, technology partnerships and innovation.
He said Maharashtra and western India's diverse industrial ecosystem offered opportunities for Czech businesses, while the Czech Republic could provide Indian companies with connections to European markets, manufacturing supply chains and innovation clusters.
Memorandums of understanding were signed between various industry groups during the meeting, with expectations of further strengthening industrial and business cooperation.
