At Maharashtra-UK Partnership launch, Chief Minister invites British companies and entrepreneurs to invest in the state
Mumbai, October 2026 : Maharashtra has developed a strong investment ecosystem that brings together skills, capital and technology to support meaningful industrial investment, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday, inviting institutions and entrepreneurs from the United Kingdom to invest in the state.
Emphasising Maharashtra’s position as a leading destination for investments across sectors, Fadnavis said the state government would facilitate faster project implementation through the ‘Invest Maharashtra’ platform by coordinating promptly with all relevant agencies.
He said the visit of secretaries, mayors and officials from the UK was not merely a formal engagement but an effort to translate the ambitions of both sides into concrete business opportunities, investments and agreements.
The Chief Minister was speaking at the Maharashtra-UK Partnership launch programme held at the Taj Palace hotel in Mumbai. Minister for Protocol Jaykumar Rawal, Principal Secretary of the Industries Department P. Anbalagan, Chief Protocol Officer Rajesh Gawande, Chief Minister’s Investment Adviser Kaustubh Dhavse and UK Minister of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Jonathan Reynolds were among those present.
Following bilateral discussions with the high-level UK delegation, memorandums of understanding between Maharashtra and the UK were exchanged to promote cooperation across several key sectors.
Fadnavis highlighted Maharashtra’s diverse economic strengths, noting that Mumbai connects international finance, trade and entrepreneurship directly with global markets. Pune, meanwhile, has emerged as a major centre for engineering, automobiles, manufacturing and information technology.
The state’s skilled workforce, established industrial clusters and strong network of experienced partners serving global customers further strengthen its position as an investment destination, he said.
The Chief Minister also pointed to opportunities in education and research, noting that the new National Education Policy has enabled foreign universities to establish campuses in Maharashtra.
Leading international institutions, including the University of Bristol, the University of York and the University of Aberdeen, are setting up operations in the state. Proposed developments such as an EduCity, MediCity and an AI Innovation City are expected to bring together world-class research, institutions and talent.
Fadnavis said Maharashtra offered considerable opportunities for clean-energy projects, particularly in reducing industrial carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency, managing water resources, developing sustainable transport and promoting resource recycling.
He assured the UK delegation that the state government would extend full support to global companies seeking to establish Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and technology research facilities in Maharashtra.
The partnership is also expected to create opportunities for local manufacturers, food-processing businesses, technology companies and small entrepreneurs from Maharashtra to access new markets and customers in the UK.
Expressing confidence in the future of bilateral relations, Fadnavis said cooperation between Maharashtra and Britain would go beyond signing agreements and translate into tangible industrial projects, business expansion and employment generation.
UK Minister of State Jonathan Reynolds said Maharashtra was the most natural and suitable destination for British companies seeking to enter the Indian market. He said the choice reflected the state’s economic strength, political stability and leadership.
Reynolds observed that Maharashtra’s economy was larger than that of Norway in Europe and stressed that the UK delegation was looking for tangible outcomes rather than merely signing documents.
“We have not come to Maharashtra merely to sign a piece of paper. We want real results and success,” he said, calling on people from both sides to work together to advance cooperation and accelerate economic progress in both countries.
The programme was attended by Scotland’s Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Dame Angela Eagle, UK Secretary of State Douglas Alexander, Director for EU and International Trade Sophie Bryce, UK Deputy Trade Commissioner for South Asia Harshbir Sangha, the UK Trade Commissioner for South Asia in England and Deputy High Commissioner for Western India Harjinder Kang, along with mayors and other officials.
The Maharashtra-UK partnership is expected to strengthen economic engagement by connecting British expertise and investment with Maharashtra’s industrial capabilities, skilled workforce and expanding technology ecosystem.
