Great Investment potential in Maharashtra: Hon’ble Governor

The Trade mission couldn’t have come to a better place and at a more appropriate time than to Maharashtra and at this point of time. Like Lower Silesia region of Poland, Maharashtra attracts maximum foreign investment in the country and has been the most favoured investment destination for investors,” said H.E. Mr. S.C. Jamir, Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra at a reception organized for the visiting trade mission from Lower Silesia Region of Poland by Indo Polish Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland.

Dwelling upon the strengths of Maharashtra, H.E. Mr. Jamir stated that it had one of the most stable Government and matured political leadership with investor friendly policies, good infrastructure and strong productive human resource base, making Maharashtra a favoured destination for manufacturing, exports and distribution and service sectors with an average growth of 7.1% in the last decade. His Excellency stated that Maharashtra has attracted highest FDI in the country and has received more than 4000 Foreign Direct Investment proposals involving estimated investment of Rs. 74, 000/- crores (approximately US$ 18 bn.) during the period 1991 – 2007. The FDI projects approved are mainly in the field of services (21%), Information Technology (19%), Automobiles (9%), Engineering and Power & Fuel 5% each.

In one of the biggest foreign investments in recent years, Boeing is setting up its maintenance, repair and overhaul(MRO) base in Nagpur at a cost of $100 million with further plan to invest additional $ 75 million for pilot training in India, because of which Nagpur would be witnessing maximum progress during the next ten years, said H.E. Mr. Jamir.

As Chancellor of Universities in Maharashtra, H.E. Mr. Jamir said, that Maharashtra was open for collaboration with the University of Agriculture and Technology from Lower Silesia Region which was also the part of the delegation.

Flagging some of the strengths of the areas of co-operation, H.E. Mr. Jamir said that Automobile, Information Technology, Bio-tech, Housing and Tourism were some areas in which partnership in Maharashtra would prove rewarding for the Lower Silesia Region. His Excellency further stated that the delegation’s visit facilitated in leading a way forward to forging new linkages with trade and businesses between our countries.

H.E. Mr. Marek Lapinski, Marshall of the Lower Silesia region of Poland and the leader of the 30 member high level delegation said that the delegation comprised of Government officials, Dean of Universities and business people and was keen to attract foreign investment into Poland. The representatives of the Polish companies on the delegation were interested in co-operation with Indian partners in areas of mining, construction technology, textiles and IT. While representatives of Industries and technology parks were interested in co-operation with Indian companies wanting to set up their base in Poland, the University of Technology and Agriculture was interested in areas of research and exchange of faculty and research scientists.

H.E. Mr. Lapinski further added that Lower Silesia Region of Poland was one of the fastest growing regions of Poland.

Mrs. Rupa Naik, Executive Director of Indo Polish Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IPCCI) in her welcome address emphasized on the role of the Chamber in facilitating co-operation between India and Poland in the areas of trade, commerce and culture.

Mr. Janusz Bylinski, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Mumbai highlighted the importance of the Lower Silesia Region as one of the fastest growing region in terms of Industry and economy. Mr. Bylinski also said that the delegation had fruitful interaction with the Indian counterparts in Mumbai.