Maharashtra opened its participation at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 with a strong showing, signing 19 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on the first day with a cumulative investment value of approximately Rs 14.5 lakh crore (USD 173 billion). The proposed investments are expected to generate over 15 lakh jobs across multiple sectors, underscoring sustained global confidence in Maharashtra’s consumer markets, infrastructure readiness and long-term growth prospects, reported news agency ANI.
Maharashtra Pavilion inaugurated, aligned with Viksit Maharashtra 2047 vision
The state began its Davos engagement with the inauguration of the Maharashtra Pavilion, setting the tone for a week of high-level interactions aligned with the vision of Viksit Maharashtra 2047 and the broader objective of transforming the state into a five trillion-dollar economy, reported ANI.
Pavilion positioned as hub for outcome-oriented investment dialogue
Positioned as a platform for structured dialogue and investment realisation, the Maharashtra Pavilion reflects the state’s outcome-oriented approach at Davos, focusing on facilitating sustained capital deployment across industry, consumer markets, hospitality, core infrastructure and digital infrastructure.
Chief Minister holds B2G meetings with global corporations
On Day 1, the Chief Minister held a series of business-to-government meetings with global corporations including Coca-Cola, Antora Energy and Brookfield, among others. These engagements spanned sectors such as consumer goods, beverages, hospitality, logistics, urban development, green steel and digital infrastructure. Discussions centred on scaling existing operations, expanding production and service capacities, strengthening supply chains and positioning Maharashtra as a preferred base for serving India’s growing domestic and regional markets. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Industries Minister Uday Samant and senior officials from the Chief Minister’s Office, the Industries, Investment and Services Department, and MMRDA, reported ANI.
Industries department anchors Rs 3.13 lakh crore investment commitments
The Industries, Investment and Services Department—nodal agency for industrial development in the state—coordinated investment commitments worth Rs 3.13 lakh crore (approximately USD 38 billion), with the potential to create over 4.4 lakh jobs. These investments span food processing, renewable energy, green steel, electric vehicles and automotive manufacturing, shipbuilding and digital infrastructure. With a single-window clearance mechanism and the MAITRI investment facilitation cell in place, the department is positioned to ensure timely implementation of these projects, reported ANI.
Execution-led approach boosts investor confidence
A key differentiator in Maharashtra’s investment success has been coordinated, mission-mode execution across departments under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Notably, nearly three-quarters of the MoUs signed at Davos in January 2025 have already progressed to the implementation stage. This momentum is reflected in renewed commitments from existing investors. Carlsberg Group announced an additional investment intention of Rs 500 crore (USD 60 million), citing expedited state support, while Skoda Auto Volkswagen committed Rs 12,000 crore (USD 1.44 billion) to expand its manufacturing footprint in Pune, reported ANI.
Major new MoUs announced in data centres, steel and renewables
Among new and landmark announcements, Lodha Group signed its maiden MoU for data centre investments in Maharashtra worth Rs 1 lakh crore (USD 12 billion). ArcelorMittal announced a Rs 1.1 lakh crore (USD 12 billion) investment in sustainable steel manufacturing, while Surjagad Ispat indicated an investment intention of Rs 20,000 crore with employment potential for around 8,000 people in the rural district of Gadchiroli. Yoki Green Energy also signed an MoU worth Rs 4,000 crore in the renewable energy sector.
Maritime and defence-linked investments strengthen Aatmanirbhar Bharat push
Maharashtra’s contribution to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision was further reinforced through commitments in maritime and defence-linked sectors. The state received a strategic investment proposal from Yeoman Marine Services worth Rs 1,050 crore (USD 120 million) in shipbuilding and maritime services.
MMRDA signs Rs 11 lakh crore worth of infrastructure MoUs
In urban infrastructure, MMRDA signed MoUs worth approximately Rs 11 lakh crore (USD 137 billion) with leading global infrastructure players, including Brookfield and Sumitomo. The SBG Group announced investment intentions of Rs 3.3 lakh crore (USD 45 billion). Additionally, MMRDA entered into strategic partnerships with Japan International Cooperation Agency, the University of California, Berkeley, Sembcorp, the Technical University of Munich and the Urban Futures Collective Consortium to support the long-term development of Mumbai as a future-ready global city, reported ANI.
State eyes next wave of investments in AI, mobility and digital sectors
Buoyed by a strong opening day, Maharashtra is set to pursue further strategic investments over the remainder of the week in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, digital infrastructure, shipping, electric mobility, renewable energy, fintech, logistics and core infrastructure, as it continues engagement with global leaders to shape the state’s next phase of growth.
(With inputs from ANI)
Maharashtra signs Rs 14.5 lakh crore investment MoUs on Day 1 at Davos 2026
