Sajjad Ahmad, Deputy Business Editor

The Maharashtra Week at the India Pavilion in Expo 2020 Dubai concluded on Thursday with a huge success as the state received investments of INR15,260 crore ($2 billion) and signed over 25 MoUs with global firms. In addition to the investment MoUs signed by Industries Department, other departments such as MMRDA, Skills, Tourism and Women & Child Development Department also signed co-operation MoUs with global counterparts.

The state industries delegation headed by Subhash Desai, Hon. Minister of Industries, Baldev Singh, ACS (Industries), Dr Harshdeep Kamble, Development Commissioner (Industries) and Dr P. Anbalagan, CEO, MIDC, successfully signed 25 MoUs in key thrust sectors like auto & auto components, logistics, EV, textiles, data center, pharma, biofuels, and energy.

Renowned companies from 6 countries i.e., Japan, Singapore, Sweden, Korea, Germany, and Italy have agreed to invest in Maharashtra. Another MoU was done by the state with an Africa-India Economic Foundation for bilateral trade and co-operation. There were around 6 more MoUs signed by the Tourism Department, MMRDA, Skills Department, and Women & Child Development Department during the state participation.

Almost 1 lakh people visited the India Pavilion during the week, where the state showcased its trillion-dollar economic vision and business attractiveness along with the rich cultural heritage. Maharashtra’s two-week participation period kicked off on the 19 of November 2021, during which more than 15 departments of the state exhibit their achievement and vision for the state. The state not only represented the prowess of its core sectors, such as industry, logistics, tourism, culture but also explained the various initiatives taken for the upliftment of farmers, women, children, and labor.

To commemorate the 50th UAE National Day and celebrate the strong bond between the two countries, many cultural shows were presented by the Maharashtra artists, including a zestful performance by the dhol-tasha band that bedazzled the audiences at the India Pavilion.

Aslam Sheikh, Maharashtra Fisheries and Textiles Minister, in his closing remarks, congratulated the UAE on its 50th national day and said, “The UAE government has created history by setting up this expo for the countries of the world. It’s a privilege to represent Maharashtra at such a great platform.” While addressing the Indian diaspora at the closing ceremony he said, “We are proud of each Indian who has contributed to the growth of the two nations. The state of Maharashtra appreciates the dedication and hard work that you all have put in strengthening the global position of both India and the UAE.”

During the week, the various departments also held knowledge-sharing leadership roundtables, fireside chats and one-to-one meetings with their respective global counterparts and corporates to highlight the myriad of opportunities that the state has to offer.

The week observed the presence of eminent dignitaries, including, Nawab Malik, Minister of Skill Development, Employment and Entrepreneurship,  Amit V. Deshmukh, Minister for Medical Education & Cultural Affairs,  Aslam Shaikh, Minister of Textiles, Fisheries and Ports, Ms. Aditi Tatkare, Minister of State for Tourism, Industries,  Anoop Kumar, Principal Secretary (PS), Cooperation and Marketing, Saurabh Vijay, Secretary Culture, Mr. Deepender Kushwaha, Commissioner MSSDS, Kailash Pagare, MD, MFSCDC LTD, Venugopal Reddy, Principal Secretary, Forest, Eknath Gawle, Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Mrs. Shradhha Joshi, MD, MAVIM, among many others.

Madhya Pradesh WEEK: The Indian state of Madhya Pradesh will be showcasing its business attractiveness along with investment opportunities across sectors like tourism, FMCG and auto as the India Pavilion is all set to organise the state week (Dec 3-9) at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The ministers from the Government of Madhya Pradesh along with top officials kickstarted the proceedings for the week by inaugurating the state pavilion on Friday. The week will see various industry-specific expert sessions, roundtable discussions as well as cultural performances.

A 12-member high-level delegation headed by Mr Rajvardhan Singh Dattigaon, Minister of Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, Government of Madhya Pradesh will be meeting potential investors and global companies during the week to explore trade and investment opportunities for the state.

The delegates will also meet the representatives of the Annual Investment Meet (AIM), Government of UAE, which is the world’s leading platform for foreign direct investment (FDI), an initiative of the UAE Ministry of Economy, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

The members of the delegation will also meet Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce  & People of Indian Origin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PIOCCI) besides holding B2B & G2C meetings with various leading corporates of Dubai, Sharjah & Abu Dhabi to showcase the industrial and tourism prowess of the state.

Madhya Pradesh is a leading hub for textile manufacturing, automobiles, food processing, pharmaceuticals, soya processing, engineering and agriculture equipment manufacturing. Along with showcasing the business attractiveness, the state will also exhibit its rich cultural heritage to global audience at the India Pavilion.

 Sanjay Kumar Shukla, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy & Investment Promotion, Government of Madhya Pradesh would be meeting with major Industry houses in UAE during his visit, for exploring areas of collaboration. This would enhance the Business ecosystem of the state.

Shukla would be accompanied by John Kingsly, IAS, Managing Director, MP Industrial Development Corporation,  Nand Kumaram, IAS, MD, MPSEDC & Anurag Verma, IAS, Executive Director, MPIDC, Rohan Saxena, Executive Director, MP Industrial Dev Corp, Prashant Singh Baghel, Joint Director, Tourism Dept and Ram Kumar Tiwari, Deputy Director, MP Tourism Board will also participate during the state week.

The India Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai reflects India’s commitment to the philosophy of (Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu), which means, “May everyone, in the whole world, be happy.”

The India Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai is one of the biggest platforms that offers a golden opportunity to showcase India to the world and project the country as the next hub for growth and innovation.

Nestled at the Al Forsan Park adjacent to the ‘Opportunity’ district of the Expo 2020 Dubai, India Pavilion is created on the theme of “Openness. Opportunity. Growth.”

Under this, the pavilion will be focusing on 11 primary themes - Climate and Biodiversity, Space, Urban and Rural Development, Tolerance and Inclusivity, Golden Jubilee, Knowledge and Learning, Travel and Connectivity, Global Goals, Health and Wellness, Food Agriculture and Livelihoods, and Water, each having a dedicated zone all underneath one gigantic roof.