Betting big on foreign direct investment in the state, Maharashtra government is in talks with China to enable the companies of that country to set up businesses here.
"Maharashtra is mainly an industrial state and we want to exploit this advantage to the fullest. To attract investments from Chinese companies, I am in talks with the Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang to open a special investment zone in the state," Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said at an event held here recently.
He said the state may also consider creating a hub especially for the Chinese companies.
"As we have an auto hub in Chakan, Pune, we can also create a hub for Chinese companies," he said adding that leading tractor maker Foton Motors has already set up its manufacturing plant in Chakan.
Besides, the state government is also in talks with the British government for financing the Mumbai-Bangalore corridor.
"I have had a meeting with the British Prime Minister for financing the corridor project, which will cover Pune, Satara and Kolhapur in the state," he said.
He said the ambitious Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), which is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will also create opportunities for foreign investments in the state.
It is expected that the DMIC project will boost Maharashtra's industrial output by an additional Rs 20 lakh crore over the next 3 decades and create an additional 23 lakh industrial and manufacturing jobs over the same period.
Chavan further said projects worth USD one billion are expected to be commissioned this year. "Another Rs 40,000 crore worth projects are in the pipeline," the chief minister said.
To improve connectivity and infrastructure to support the industrial growth of the state, the government is also planning to set up an airport in every district, Chavan said.
"Currently there are 22 airports in the state. But now we want to set up an airport in every district that will improve connectivity and boost industrial growth," he said.
