Nagpur: Maharashtra has scripted a bold new chapter in its economic journey on the global stage, with the state government signing memorandums of understanding worth Rs 30 lakh crore so far at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.
Significantly, nearly 83% of these proposals are foreign direct investments (FDI), underlining growing international confidence in Maharashtra as a preferred investment destination. Collectively, the agreements have the potential to generate around 30 lakh jobs, offering a strong push to inclusive and long-term growth.
Gold Rate
23 Jan 2026
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking virtually to reporters from Davos, said the list of investors reflects both global credibility and domestic strength. Global names such as OpenAI (the creator of ChatGPT), data centre giant Iron Mountain, Princeton Data Group, Ghostworks, Volkswagen, Skoda, ArcelorMittal and Coca-Cola have inked pacts with the state. On the domestic front, industry leaders including the Tata Group, Reliance Industries and the Adani Group have reaffirmed their investment commitments.
Maharashtra is set to attract investments from 18 countries, spanning the United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Canada and Belgium, among others. Fadnavis pointed out that Indian companies partnering with the state already operate in 165 countries, strengthening Maharashtra’s global economic footprint.
Importantly for regional balance, Vidarbha has secured investment proposals worth Rs 2.7 lakh crore this year. Responding to a query from a local newspaper, the Chief Minister said the figure is on par with, if not higher than, last year’s share, adding that a detailed sector-wise and location-wise break-up would be announced soon. He highlighted that over 75% of the MoUs signed at last year’s WEF have already moved into implementation stages, a key indicator of execution capability.
Clarifying the MoU lifecycle, Fadnavis said an agreement is considered fructified once project execution begins, whether through land acquisition, environmental clearances or financial closure. He also addressed Opposition criticism, noting that large-scale investments typically take three to seven years to fully materialise, with operations commencing in phases as milestones are achieved. Some MoUs signed last year did not progress due to changing geopolitical equations with certain countries, he said.
The Chief Minister emphasised that the current investment wave, dominated by FDIs, also supports import substitution and technology transfer, with foreign investments flowing through Indian arms of multinational companies as well as global funds. At the same time, growth is being spread across regions. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar has attracted investment proposals worth Rs 55,000 crore, while Marathwada is fast emerging as a new investment hub. The Konkan region has drawn proposals exceeding Rs 3.5 lakh crore, with Raigad district gaining prominence as a fresh industrial magnet.
With one day still remaining at the WEF, Maharashtra expects to sign additional MoUs worth Rs 5 lakh crore to Rs 12 lakh crore, the Chief Minister said. Parallel discussions are also at an advanced stage for investment proposals worth Rs 7–10 lakh crore, which could be formalised over the next month even if not concluded in Davos.
Taken together, the momentum at Davos signals Maharashtra’s intent to position itself as India’s growth engine of the next decade, driven by global partnerships, regional inclusion and a strong focus on jobs, technology and sustainable development.
