Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2023, in Davos, Switzerland on January 16, 2023. , Photo Credit: PTI
Despite the global economic slowdown, investors are still attracted to India and Maharashtra in particular, the state’s Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Wednesday, claiming that one lakh jobs will be created directly or indirectly as a result of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Will be created Signed by the Kingdom at the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Speaking to reporters outside the Mumbai International Airport after his return from Davos, Mr Shinde said MoUs worth ₹1.37 lakh crore were signed at the WEF, adding that this figure could be increased by more investors signing agreements in Mumbai. Will increase with the expectation of signing of MoUs. In the near future.
In an indirect dig at the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Aaditya Thackeray in particular, Mr Shinde insisted that these MoUs would be implemented on the ground, not that only on paper. ,
“The fact that MoUs worth ₹1.37 lakh crore were signed is a big deal in itself. This figure is set to exceed ₹1.50 lakh crore as the state industries minister [Uday Samant] And his team will be signing more MoUs today and tomorrow. But these MoUs will be executed and implemented at the ground level… This is the most important thing. They are not MoUs that have just been drawn up,” Mr Shinde said, taking a dig at former Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray’s visit to Davos in May 2022.
‘PM’s popularity is increasing investment’
Stating that the impression and popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was evident everywhere at the WEF, Mr. Shinde said that there was widespread enthusiasm about investing in India and Maharashtra in particular. He said he would discuss Modi’s visit to Davos during his visit to Mumbai on Thursday.
“All of us have been working under the guidance of the PM for the last eight years. His growing popularity has also helped showcase Maharashtra’s progress. Prime Minister’s visit to Mumbai will be beneficial for Maharashtra.
The six-month-old Shinde-Fadnavis government is facing criticism from the opposition MVA alliance for allegedly “losing” big-ticket projects like Vedanta-Foxconn in neighboring Gujarat.
pro-industry promises
“The fascination for Maharashtra was evident in my meetings with several foreign dignitaries who visited the ‘Maharashtra Pavilion’ in Davos, including the PM of Luxembourg and dignitaries from Saudi Arabia, who expressed interest in investing in the state in several sectors. Showed curiosity. It is a matter of great pride for us,” said Mr. Shinde.
The CM said that it was clear from the discussions held with foreign dignitaries and global investors that they reposed a lot of confidence in Maharashtra and saw the state as “pro-industry” and “pro-investment”.
“The conduct of WEF has been extremely satisfactory and the state will benefit greatly from it. We have assured investors in Davos that we will roll out the red carpet for them in terms of attractive subsidies, tax benefits, special packages. Even when we formed the new government, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and I had already taken decisions in the cabinet meeting to benefit industry and create an enabling environment for investment like single-window clearance.