Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addresses a press conference, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting, in Davos, Switzerland, on January 23, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Most of the investment through Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) worth ₹15.70 lakh crore signed in Davos during the World Economic Forum will be in the field of sustainability and energy, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Thursday (January 23, 2025). He was answering a question by The Hindu on the alignment of FDIs (Foreign Direct Investment) with the climate change concerns, as he held a virtual press conference from Davos.
“The concerns around climate change have been expressed everywhere. Sustainability has been a core discussion here in Davos as well. In fact, most of the investment we have got is in the field of sustainability. May it be the EV ecosystem, the solar power ecosystem manufacturing, green energy, hydro energy,” he said while answering a question posed by The Hindu.
Speaking of the high usage of Artificial Intelligence in all the sectors in the near future, he said the State was gearing towards its usage in administration.
“Maharashtra will be ahead in data centres. In all the proceedings here, six Chief Ministers of different States of India participated in various dialogues. Everyone spoke of how India was an attractive investment destination. We spoke on water sustainability, infrastructure, green energy, IT, ITeS, data centres, defence, automotive sector, biotech, pharmaceuticals,” he said.
Maharashtra government has claimed ₹15.70 lakh crore Investment in the State through 54 MoUs. They will lead to 15.95 lakh jobs in the State, the government has claimed.
“The largest investment was from the Reliance Group, which will invest ₹3.05 lakh crore across sectors like petrochemicals, polyester, renewable energy, bioenergy, green hydrogen, green chemicals, industrial development, retail, data centres, telecommunications, hospitality, and real estate. This single agreement is expected to generate three lakh jobs,” a press handout by the government said.
Meanwhile, the Opposition has slammed the government, claiming that Indian companies were signing deals with the government in Davos.
“Being always supportive of any real investment/ proposed investment coming into our nation and our State, this Davos trip of CM Fadnavis ji seems to be totally misaligned by his office. Out of the MoUs for proposed investment signed with 29 companies, only one is from outside of India. The rest are all Indian or having HQs/ bases in India. Of the 29 companies, 20 are based in Maharashtra, 15 of which are in Mumbai where the @CMOMaharashtra is located,” Shiv Sena(UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray posted on social media platform X. The CM dismissed the apprehensions.
Published – January 24, 2025 01:58 am IST
