Discussions Held with Delegation Led by Czech Republic Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlíček
Mumbai, October 2026: Czech companies should manufacture more Czech technologies in Maharashtra to serve markets across India and the world. If Czech companies and institutions submit concrete proposals, the state government will extend support swiftly. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured the delegation that Maharashtra would provide all possible cooperation to open a new chapter in industrial and investment partnerships between Maharashtra and the Czech Republic.
A delegation led by Karel Havlíček, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade of the Czech Republic, met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at his official residence, Varsha, to discuss industrial opportunities and investment prospects in Maharashtra.
Those present at the meeting included Richard Hlavaty, Director for Non-European Countries at the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Industry and Trade; Deputy Foreign Minister Marie Štardová; Foreign Ministry Director General Šmarek Libřický; Consul General in Mumbai Kateřina Vovková; Czech Ambassador-designate and Chargé d’Affaires in New Delhi Kateřina Petersen; Daniel Vašek, a representative of the Czech mining technology sector; the Chief Executive Officer of Analex; Protocol Minister Jaykumar Rawal; Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Lokesh Chandra; Principal Secretary Dr Shrikar Pardeshi; Principal Secretary Dr P. Anbalagan; Secretary Dr Rajesh Gawande; and the Chief Minister’s Investment Adviser, Kaustubh Dhavse.
Maharashtra Aims to Become a Global Centre for Advanced Manufacturing
Speaking about Maharashtra’s economy, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state has the largest economy in India and is a major destination for foreign investment. Maharashtra aims to become a trillion-dollar economy by 2030. He emphasised that the state’s ambition extends beyond expanding the size of its economy to becoming a global hub for advanced manufacturing, technology and innovation.
The former Czechoslovakia opened a consulate in Mumbai in 1920, making the city an important gateway for India–Czech Republic relations for more than a century. Fadnavis said these historic ties should now move beyond individual investments and develop into a more structured partnership.
Opportunities in Advanced Manufacturing and the Automobile Sector
There is considerable scope for cooperation in advanced manufacturing and the automobile industry. Škoda has been operating in India for 25 years and has manufacturing facilities in Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
As the next phase of this partnership, Fadnavis encouraged Czech companies involved in electric vehicles, precision engineering, machinery, automation and Tier-1 and Tier-2 automotive supply chains to invest in Maharashtra.
He said the Czech Republic’s expertise in precision engineering, aerospace, defence, semiconductors, electron microscopy and advanced technologies could be combined with Maharashtra’s industrial clusters in Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nashik and Nagpur, as well as the state’s scientific institutions.
The Chief Minister stressed that companies and institutions in Maharashtra and the Czech Republic should move beyond conventional buying and selling. They should focus on joint ventures, technology transfer, joint research and development, and co-manufacturing.
Collaboration in Education, Research and Skills Development
Fadnavis urged leading Czech universities, including Czech Technical University, Charles University and Brno University of Technology, to explore opportunities to establish educational initiatives in Maharashtra.
He also called for cooperation in joint degree programmes, research initiatives, doctoral programmes and student exchange schemes.
Highlighting Maharashtra’s substantial pool of engineers, technicians, information technology professionals and skilled young people, the Chief Minister suggested exploring a structured Maharashtra–Czech Republic skills mobility partnership. Such an arrangement could provide manufacturing technicians, engineers, IT professionals, nurses and other skilled workers according to the requirements of Czech industries.
Maharashtra as a Gateway to India and Global Markets
Fadnavis said economic relations between India and the European Union were entering a new phase. This opportunity should be used to develop new supply chains, technologies and institutional partnerships.
He urged the Czech Republic to view Maharashtra not only as a gateway to India but also as a manufacturing base for serving global markets.
Czech Technology Proposed for Coal Quality Management
The meeting also explored cooperation in Maharashtra’s energy and mining sectors, including a proposal to use Czech technology for coal quality management.
Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlíček thanked the Maharashtra government for the warm welcome. He said the Czech Republic was keen to work with the state government and strengthen mutual cooperation.
He explained that Czech companies were interested in building long-term partnerships in India rather than merely selling technology. They were prepared to share technical expertise and, wherever feasible, manufacture equipment locally.
Representatives of Czech industrial companies outlined their products, technologies and capabilities. During discussions on cooperation in Maharashtra’s energy and mining sectors, Havlíček highlighted technologies such as online analysers for measuring coal quality, automated sampling systems, coal blending and quality management systems, and thermal imaging systems designed to prevent spontaneous combustion in coal stockpiles.
He said the Czech Mining Technology Association represents 90 member companies that supply technologies and equipment for underground and open-cast mines, power plants, safety systems, filtration and ventilation systems, and air pollution reduction. These companies have the capability to provide technologies covering the entire process, from mineral extraction and transportation to final processing.
Havlíček also stated that Analex had commissioned more than 400 systems in different countries.
