Davos, Jan 22 (NationPress) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis revealed on Thursday that the Maharashtra government has finalized MoUs for investment proposals totaling Rs 30 lakh crore during the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit.

He added that the government has initiated preliminary discussions regarding an additional investment ranging from Rs 7 to 10 lakh crore, with MoUs expected to be signed within the next month or two.

The Chief Minister, speaking at a virtual press conference, elaborated that these investments span various sectors including industry, services, Artificial Intelligence, data centers, Quantum computing, technology, semi-conductors, GCCs, healthcare, food processing, renewable energy, green skills, EVs, urban transformation, green steel, shipbuilding, sustainability, fintech, digital infrastructure, and textiles.

“Approximately 83 percent of these investments are foreign direct investments, while 16 percent involve foreign entities and foreign technology. Some investments are aimed at import substitution,” he noted.

He further mentioned that these MoUs involve companies from 18 countries, including the US, UK, Switzerland, Sweden, Singapore, Germany, UAE, Norway, and Canada.

“Out of the Rs 30 lakh crore, 16 percent is allocated to Konkan, 22 percent to MMR, 13 percent to Vidarbha, and the remaining 50 percent to other regions of Maharashtra,” he explained.

The Chief Minister outlined that in North Maharashtra, investments of Rs 50,000 crore are planned for Nashik, Jalgaon, Ahilyanagar, Nandurbar, and Dhule, while Rs 2.70 lakh crore is earmarked for Nagpur and surrounding areas.

Additionally, Rs 55,000 crore will be invested in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, which is emerging as a new industrial hub in Marathwada.

“In the Konkan region, proposed investments amount to Rs 3.50 lakh crore across Raigad, Sindhu Durg, and Ratnagiri, with additional proposals for Pune and other districts,” he stated.

The Chief Minister reminded that during last year's WEF, the government had signed MoUs for investment proposals worth Rs 15.75 lakh crore.

In response to inquiries about the conversion of these announcements into actual projects, the Chief Minister indicated that nearly 75 percent of these announcements have materialized.

“These announcements are not merely theoretical. The investment timeline spans from three to seven years as they progress in phases,” he asserted.

The Chief Minister also claimed that serious investors actively pursue land, approvals, and financial closure to facilitate their investments.

He noted that some MoUs for investment proposals did not come to fruition due to geopolitical issues.

The Chief Minister announced plans for new cities to be established in the state.

“An innovation city is being planned in the upcoming Mumbai area, beyond Navi Mumbai. The state government has engaged a private firm to devise a roadmap for developing the ecosystem for the proposed innovation city,” he said.

He mentioned that this private firm has proposed an investment of USD 11 billion for the data center development in the Innovation City, aimed at fostering an innovation culture and hub in Tier 2 and 3 cities.

“This initiative will generate high-paying jobs,” Fadnavis claimed.

He added that the Raigad Pen Growth Centre will also be developed, expected to become a next-generation hub for technology, fintech, and data centers, and will feature India's first dedicated Global Capability Centre (GCC) district.

“Global companies have been invited to invest in the Raigad Pen Growth Centre, which is emerging as a premier business and investment destination,” he concluded.