Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is on Sweden tour, today said the state will become a trillion dollar economy by 2030.
Fadnavis, on a three-day visit to Sweden along with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu and Maharashtra Industry Minister Subhash Desai, addressed a gathering in Stockholm, after releasing a 'Make in India' magazine.
"Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji says that India will lead the world because of its demography, democracy and demand. Maharashtra leads in this advantage too," a release from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) quoted him as saying.
"China was a factory for the world for the last 20 years, but after this decade it will be India," he said while exhorting Swedish firms to invest in Maharashtra.
The CM further said Maharashtra will be a trillion dollar economy by 2030.
Stating that Maharashtra leads in infrastructure projects and ports, Fadnavis said the proposed 'Samruddhi' corridor project between Mumbai and Nagpur will be the longest "smart road" in the nation.
"Our state has a population of 10 per cent, but we contribute 15 per cent to the national GDP. Almost all global businesses have their footprints in Maharashtra, including over 100 Swedish companies," he said while appealing to Swedish companies to invest in the state.
Stating that Maharashtra offers enormous opportunities and benefits, he pointed out that Mumbai is the financial capital of the nation, Pune is the IT capital and Nagpur is the logistics hub.
Fadnavis met Alrik Danielson, President and CEO of SKF group, a leading bearing and seal manufacturing company, the statement said.
"SKF group already has a manufacturing facility in Pune and its officials informed the CM on their expansion plans and that they would soon finalise the next phase for Maharashtra and also that they are keen to work closely with the state government," it said.
The Chief Minister also met Atul Tandon, Director Strategy and Commercial Excellence, of AstraZeneca.
The company appreciated Maharashtra's initiatives for screening of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, the statement said.
"The global biopharmaceutical company agreed and assured the CM to work closely with the state and that they are keen to work for a pilot project in a civil hospital to improve healthcare facilities," it said.
Fadnavis also met Pr Stenmark, Chief Regulatory Officer, of IKEA and appealed to the company to join hands with the state for use and branding of bamboo/bamboo products to increase the income and employment of tribals and locals.
"The state government has already set up a Bamboo Development Board and is also providing skilling support to the locals. The CM urged IKEA to start a skill centre for Bamboo," the statement said.
IKEA also informed the CM that the work for Navi Mumbai IKEA store has already started and will be completed by 2019.
The 'bhumipujan' (ground-breaking) of the store was performed by Fadnavis on May 18 this year.
Fadnavis also met Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and Trade Ms Ann Linde and discussed important bilateral issues, the statement said.
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