Maharashtra and New South Wales sign agreements to boost trade, investment and skills, check complete details here

A series of agreements were signed in the presence of Chief Minister Fadnavis and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns at Varsha the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnaviss official residence in Mumbai an official statement saidMaharashtra and New South Wales have had a partnership since 2012The agreements cover several sectors including financial services clean energy advanced manufacturing critical minerals agricultural technology healthcare education skills development technology culture and sportThe partnership between Maharashtra and Australias New South Wales will be expanded to make it more ambitious broader and focused on delivering practical results CM Fadnavis said on WednesdayHe said that the areas identified for cooperation are aligned with Maharashtras goal of becoming a developed and globally competitive state by 2047Focus on finance and investmentCM Fadnavis said that Mumbai and Sydney serve as important financial and business gateways for India and Australia respectivelyHe urged financial institutions professional services companies infrastructure investors and superannuation funds from New South Wales to consider Maharashtra as a key gateway for investment in IndiaHe said Maharashtras expanding transport infrastructure industrial corridors urban development renewable energy and digital infrastructure are creating significant opportunities for longterm investmentThe two sides will also explore greater cooperation in technology manufacturing and the energy transitionMaharashtra is developing strong ecosystems in electric vehicles batteries electronics semiconductors artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturingFadnavis said New South Wales experience in mining technology critical minerals clean energy and innovation could support joint projects in areas such as battery manufacturing green hydrogen renewable energy and energy storageNew opportunities in skills and educationSkills development and education are another major area of cooperationFadnavis said there is scope for joint courses trainer training digital learning and industrylinked certification programmes involving Technical and Further Education institutions in New South Wales and industrial and skills development organisations in MaharashtraHe also invited universities from New South Wales to participate in the international education city planned near Navi MumbaiAgriculture and water managementMaharashtra also hopes to benefit from New South Wales experience in drought management agriculture and water conservationFadnavis said this experience could be particularly useful for the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions where water management and agricultural challenges remain important issuesHe called for stronger partnerships between agricultural universities in Maharashtra and institutions in New South WalesJoint working group to be formed within 90 daysTo ensure that the agreements lead to concrete outcomes a joint working group will be established within 90 days Fadnavis saidThe group will identify priority projects assign responsibilities to institutions in both states and regularly review progressThe move is intended to turn the broader partnership into specific projects and measurable outcomesNew South Wales seeks stronger economic tiesNew South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the two sides would focus on strengthening economic ties through cooperation in mining technology tourism education advanced manufacturing the circular economy healthcare and mining technologyHe said the agreements have given a new direction to economic relations between Maharashtra and New South WalesMinns also highlighted the strong links between the two regions through the IndianAustralian community in New South WalesHe said many young people from Maharashtra have travelled to Australia for education over several decades while the IndianAustralian community in New South Wales continues to maintain strong family cultural and language links with MaharashtraMinns invites Fadnavis to SydneyMinns welcomed Fadnavis proposal to create a joint working group to identify concrete opportunities under the agreementsHe praised the Chief Ministers initiative and vision in strengthening relations between Maharashtra and New South Wales and invited Fadnavis to visit SydneyThe meeting was attended by Maharashtra Minister Jaykumar Rawal Additional Chief Secretary of the Skill Development Department Manisha Verma Industry Department Secretary Dr Anbalagan Principal Secretary of the Protocol Department Dr Rajesh Gawande and Chief Ministers Investment Adviser Kaustubh DhavseNew South Wales Treasurer Daniel Mookhey Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green Secretary Michael CouttsTrotter Trade and Investment Commissioner Malini Dutt and Director Sachin Saxena were also present