Davos, Jan 21 (NationPress) The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), representing the Maharashtra government, has entered into Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with numerous international firms aimed at developing a growth centre in the Pen tehsil of the Raigad district in Maharashtra.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis oversaw the MoU signing, which is envisioned to become the 'Third Mumbai'. The project is set to evolve into a next-generation hub for technology, fintech, and data centres, including India’s inaugural dedicated Global Capability Centre (GCC) district. During the event, CM Fadnavis invited international companies to view the Raigad Pen Growth Centre as a top destination for business and investment,” the Chief Minister's office (CMO) stated in a release.

As per the CMO, the participating companies hail from South Korea, Switzerland, the US, Finland, India, the UAE, Singapore, and more.

Fadnavis noted, “I had an engaging conversation with Jessica Rosenworcel, Executive Director of MIT Media Lab, at #WEF26 in Davos. Our discussion revolved around the transformative impact of Digital Public Infrastructure in India and how it is facilitating inclusive governance. We also spoke about how these digital frameworks are driving Maharashtra’s progress by improving service delivery, promoting innovation, and developing scalable solutions for the future.”

“It was a pleasure to converse with Mr. Andrew Ponec, CEO of Antora Energy. We discussed thermal energy storage solutions that can transform solar and wind energy into zero-carbon industrial heat and electricity, which supports Maharashtra’s clean and sustainable industrial growth,” he added.

The Chief Minister expressed that he “enjoyed reconnecting” with Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, where they “shared insights on geopolitics, emerging opportunities in Indian enterprises, and India’s increasing influence in the global economy.”

In another statement, he mentioned, “I had a fruitful interaction with Ms. Patricia F. Russo, Chairman of Hewlett-Packard, and Ms. Bhawna Agarwal, Senior VP and Managing Director for India, at #WEF2026 in Davos. Our conversation included significant facets of the global technology landscape, focusing on digitization and the application of AI for security. It was a constructive discussion, and I anticipate further collaboration with Maharashtra.”

Fadnavis also engaged in a significant dialogue with Alon Stopel, Chairman of the Israel Innovation Authority. Their talks were centered on reinforcing innovation-driven collaborations, fostering sustainable growth, and exploring avenues for deeper partnerships in technology and R&D.

According to the CMO's release, Fadnavis and Maersk CEO Vincent Clerk discussed the circular economy in the Mumbai Data Centre and various development initiatives in Maharashtra.

Additionally, Fadnavis met with Ville Tavio, Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, highlighting the robust India–Finland partnership and plans to organize a dedicated circular economy event in Mumbai, aiming to enhance collaboration between Finnish and Maharashtrian enterprises,” the statement concluded.