PUNE: Accelerating India’s trajectory toward Viksit Bharat 2047, the Pune Chapter of the Hindu Economic Forum (HEF) successfully concluded its high-profile Shakti Summit 2026 at the Pune International Centre. The summit represented an operational launchpad for Bharat’s Strategic Power Framework: Strategic Defence & Aerospace, Hindu Temple Economy, Artificial Intelligence, Knowledge & Media, Technology, and Infrastructure. 

The Summit delivered extensively on its multipronged objective: anchoring indigenous Artificial Intelligence, unlocking domestic venture capital, and reinforcing strategic self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) across critical defence and economic ecosystems

Shri Jishnu Dev Varma, Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra, graced the event as the Chief Guest, delivering the special address. He underlined the importance of stronger collaboration between government, industry, investors, and knowledge institutions in sectors central to India’s long-term growth and strategic self-reliance.

Gaurav Tripathi, President, HEF Pune District Chapter, and Co-founder & CTO, Partex.AI said, “The SHAKTI Summit 2026 marks a paradigm shift in how we approach economic growth. We are now building an execution-first ecosystem where serious capital, strategic industrial sectors, and civilizational clarity converge.

The Pune AI Grid is positioning Pune as the Applied AI and Strategic Capital of Bharat by redoubling its manufacturing and digital prowess. By aligning our deep research talent, robust industrial shopfloors, and foundational infrastructure, we are turning national priorities like Atmanirbhar Bharat into measurable economic milestones.”

The $500 Million Pune AI Vision:

Partex.AI presented a comprehensive roadmap to establish Pune as the global capital of applied AI: from a $50 million foundation phase with distributed GPU clusters and an AI Model Foundry, scaling to a $500 million platform aimed at training 100,000 professionals and developing exportable solutions for defence, manufacturing, and healthcare.

Dr. Gunjan Bharadwaj, Founder & CEO, Partex.AI, stated: “The Pune AI Vision is an opportunity to leverage exploratory and exploitative innovation on a scale that few cities globally can match. By unifying Pune’s unique constellation of talent, we can build decision-making technology that transforms not just Indian industry, but the world. Partex is committed to being a partner in this vision, bringing our expertise in AI-driven platforms to accelerate innovation across defence, manufacturing, and life sciences.”

India’s First Indigenous Autonomous Surface Vehicle on Display for the First Time:

Accurate Industrial Controls displayed ISACA, India’s first indigenously developed Autonomous Surface Vessel. Validated through Indian Navy-evaluated trials, ISACA combines AI, sensor fusion, and indigenous collision-avoidance software, marking a major milestone in India’s maritime autonomy.

Shri Kiran Jadhav, Chairman & Managing Director, Accurate Group, said: “Indigenous autonomous vessel technology is a statement of India’s capability and our resolve for Atmanirbharta. At the SHAKTI Summit, we created the conditions for transformative solutions that will serve our nation’s defence and maritime strength.”

Strategic Discussions on critical sectors: formed a highlight of the summit, covering defence, aerospace, rare earths, infrastructure, technology, temple economy, AI, startups – by a diverse selection of industry leaders, founders, and experts.

To ensure these strategic conversations yield tangible results, the HEF Pune District Chapter announced the formation of a Defence Working Group, reinforcing their commitment to structured, post-summit follow-through.

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PUNE: Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd (PVPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Italian auto giant Piaggio Group, and India’s leading manufacturer of small commercial vehicles, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s largest public sector bank, State Bank of India (SBI), Lucknow circle. This strategic partnership is designed to leverage the Uttar Pradesh Government’s ambitious CM Yuva Yojna, a flagship initiative aimed at creating employment opportunities for 1.5 lakh youth across the state by fostering entrepreneurship, self-reliance, and small business ownership.

The MoU was signed between Amit Sagar, Executive Vice President for CV Domestic Business and Retail Finance at PVPL, and Vibhash Kumar, Deputy General Manager, State Bank of India. Through this collaboration, SBI’s extensive network of over 1,600 branches across central and eastern Uttar Pradesh will offer financing solutions for Piaggio’s trusted full range of three-wheelers, including both Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) models.

Under the CM Yuva Yojna and Mudra schemes, eligible youth entrepreneurs aged 25–40 years will benefit from highly attractive financing support, including:

• 0% interest loans (Interest Free loan) backed by 100% government subsidy
• Funding of 85–90% of the vehicle cost
• Four-year repayment tenure
• No guarantor requirement
• Refund of margin money upon successful loan repayment

These benefits significantly lower barriers to vehicle ownership and empower aspiring entrepreneurs to establish sustainable livelihoods.

As part of this initiative, Piaggio India will also establish dedicated CM Yuva Help Centers across its dealership network in Uttar Pradesh, enabling interested applicants to access guidance, financing assistance, and seamless onboarding into the programme through their nearest Piaggio 3-wheeler showroom.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Piaggio India’s mission to strengthen commercial mobility while supporting socio-economic progress in Uttar Pradesh. By combining Piaggio India’s trusted and versatile three-wheeler portfolio with SBI’s deep financial expertise and unparalleled reach, the partnership aims to create a robust ecosystem for employment generation and inclusive growth.

Speaking on the partnership, Amit Sagar, Executive Vice President, CV Domestic Business & Retail Finance, Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd, said: “India’s mobility landscape is evolving rapidly. From small entrepreneurs to fleet operators, a new class of owners is emerging, and they need financing that understands their realities. Through this partnership, Piaggio India and State Bank of India are bringing together the strength, trust, and reach of two respected institutions to make vehicle ownership simpler, faster, and more accessible. By leveraging the Uttar Pradesh Government’s CM Yuva Yojna, which offers eligible young entrepreneurs 0% interest free financing, government-backed subsidies, and simplified access to business ownership, we are creating meaningful opportunities for self-employment and enterprise development at scale. This initiative goes beyond vehicle financing; it is about enabling aspirations, fostering entrepreneurship, and contributing directly to employment generation for the youth of Uttar Pradesh. Piaggio India remains committed to supporting inclusive economic progress through practical, sustainable, and accessible mobility solutions.”

Vibhash Kumar, Deputy General Manager, State Bank of India, added: “This collaboration combines SBI’s trusted financial capabilities and extensive network with Piaggio’s established leadership in the three-wheeler segment to create meaningful livelihood opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs across Uttar Pradesh. Through CM Yuva Yojna, we are committed to supporting youth-led enterprise by making affordable financing widely accessible, thereby strengthening self-employment, last-mile connectivity, and long-term economic development.”

With this partnership, Piaggio Vehicles further reinforces its leadership in India’s three-wheeler market by integrating mobility, finance, and entrepreneurship into a unified platform that empowers the next generation of business owners while contributing to Uttar Pradesh’s employment and development agenda.

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VISAKHAPATNAM: Godrej Agrovet Limited (Godrej Agrovet), one of India’s largest diversified agri-food businesses, today signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP). Under this MoU, the company would be investing INR 70 Crore to expand the dairy processing and value-added product capacities in its dairy business and set up new Samadhan Centers – a one-stop solution center for Oil Palm Farmers.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Shri Nara Chandrababu Naidu Garu, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh; Sunil Kataria, MD & CEO, Godrej Agrovet, and Rakesh Swami, Group President – Corporate Affairs, Godrej Industries Group.

Commenting on the occasion, Shri Nara Chandrababu Naidu Garu, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, said, “Strengthening the agri-food processing sector is imperative for farmers of our soil to prosper. In sync with the same, we are delighted to partner with Godrej Agrovet, a strong and reliable partner. I am confident that this partnership will not only help strengthen our agricultural ecosystem but also create sustainable livelihoods for the community at large while driving economic growth.”

Sunil Kataria, CEO & MD, Godrej Agrovet, said, “We are grateful to the government of Andhra Pradesh for fostering an ecosystem that supports businesses and uplifts communities. Today’s MoU is a testimony to our intent to strengthen our agri-food processing capabilities while continuing to empower farmers. With a strong legacy of innovation in food processing, our mission remains to advance India’s nutrition landscape and contribute to the growth of the agri-economy.”

Godrej Agrovet’s wholly owned subsidiary, Creamline Dairy Products Limited, which sells products under the brand name Godrej Jersey, will be expanding its dairy processing and value-added products capacities in three phases.

The company’s oil palm business, the largest oil palm processor in India and working directly with the farmers for the entire lifecycle of the crop, will be establishing five new Samadhan Centers. Samadhan is a one-stop solution centre that would provide a comprehensive package of knowledge, tools, services, and solutions to oil palm farmers.

Rakesh Swami, Group President – Corporate Affairs, Godrej Industries Group, said, “Andhra Pradesh has been a key state for Godrej Industries Group, playing a pivotal role in our growth across sectors. The signing of this MoU reflects the State’s speed of doing business and partnership-oriented approach, notably through its streamlined approvals process and investor-friendly policies. We look forward to contributing to Andhra Pradesh’s growth story and remain committed to expanding our group’s footprint across consumer, real estate, and finance businesses too.”

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The MoU was signed by Mr Srivatsan Iyer, Global CEO, Hero Future Energies, in the presence of Sri N. Chandrababu Naidu, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sri K. Vijayanand, IAS, Chief Secretary, Govt of AP, Dr M. Kamalakar Babu, Vice Chairman & MD, NREDCAP, Govt of AP and Sri C.M. Saikanth Varma, IAS, CEO, AP Economic Development Board and Mr Rahul Munjal, Founder & CMD, Hero Future Energies and senior officials from both sides at Visakhapatnam, on the sidelines of the AP Govt – CII Partnership Summit. Under the agreement, HFE will establish the renewable energy generation projects in two phases, creating over 15,000 direct and indirect jobs in total.

As part of the MoU, HFE will leverage its expertise in renewable energy technology, design, and implementation to set up the projects in a time-bound manner. Hon’ble CM of Andhra Pradesh assured HFE Chairman that NREDCAP and APEDB will facilitate necessary assistance to enable project development, including coordination with relevant departments of the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Union Government of India for required approvals and support. In response, HFE Chairman and Managing Director, Mr. Rahul Munjal, informed the Hon’ble Chief Minister that HFE will invest an additional INR 15000 crore in renewable energy projects in the state, taking the total value of the current proposed investments to INR 30,000 crores.

Speaking on the occasion, Rahul Munjal, Founder and CMD, Hero Future Energies, said, “This partnership marks more than an investment—it’s a step towards redefining how States and private enterprise can jointly drive India’s clean energy transition. Andhra Pradesh’s proactive policy environment and strong infrastructure make it a top priority investment destination.”

Srivatsan Iyer, Global CEO, Hero Future Energies, said, “The proposed projects are proving ground for complex renewable ecosystems that combine scale, innovation, and impact. Through this MoU, we are adding 4 GW of green capacity and also setting in motion a model of sustainable industrial growth that generates long-term employment, attracts ancillary industries, and strengthens the AP’s role in India’s decarbonisation journey.”

The MoU will remain valid for a period of 12 months from the date of signing and aims to enable swift project commencement and investment facilitation in the renewable energy sector of Andhra Pradesh.

Hero Future Energies (HFE) is rapidly positioning itself as a powerhouse in India’s clean energy ecosystem, scaling an integrated portfolio that spans solar, wind, hybrid systems, and green hydrogen. Building on its proven track record in hybrid and advanced renewable solutions, the company has recently secured major MoUs — including one with the Government of Karnataka for a ₹11,000 crore investment in renewables and green hydrogen, and financing support of ₹1,024 crore from the State Bank of India for a 60 MW hybrid solar-wind-storage project in Andhra Pradesh. These commitments reflect HFE’s strategic shift beyond conventional generation into firm, dispatchable renewable energy and decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors, with a growing international footprint across Europe and Southeast Asia. Backed by marquee investors like KKR and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), HFE is driving expansion through technology integration, geographic diversification, and complex project structuring—cementing its role as a front-runner in India’s energy transition.

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GELEPHU, BHUTAN: The Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Khaitan & Co, one of India’s oldest and most respected law firms, today.

The partnership aims to strengthen legal and regulatory confidence for both Indian and Global investors while supporting Bhutan’s aspiration to emerge as South Asia’s new economic growth and innovation hub.

At the signing, GMC Governor Dasho Dr Lotay Tshering said Gelephu Mindfulness City is advancing His Majesty’s vision of creating a new economic gateway for Bhutan, one where innovation, sustainability, and purpose-led growth work together to unlock mindful and long-term prosperity.

“As the India–Bhutan partnership deepens, this MoU with Khaitan & Co marks an important step in building trusted pathways for investment, entrepreneurship, and collaboration,” he added.

Siddharth Shah, a Senior Partner at Khaitan & Co, said that the firm is honoured to support one of Bhutan’s most visionary economic initiatives.

He added, “The GMC represents a new paradigm of development, where harmony, innovation, and sustainability converge. This partnership will help Indian and Global companies engage with Bhutan through a transparent and trusted legal environment, contributing to shared regional prosperity.”

Under the MoU, Khaitan & Co will:

• Advise Indian companies exploring opportunities in GMC on market entry, compliance, and investment structuring.
• Support Bhutanese businesses seeking to expand into India across corporate, tax, and operational matters.
• Collaborate with the Bhutanese legal fraternity to share best practices and build cross-border legal capacity.
• Enhance investor confidence through clarity on governance, compliance, and business structuring.

Situated along Bhutan’s southern border with India, GMC is being developed under a unique governance framework aligned with international standards. The city focuses on eight priority sectors – spirituality, health & wellness; education & knowledge; agri-tech & forestry; green energy & technologies; finance & digital assets; aviation & logistics; and tourism – creating a new model of holistic and sustainable growth.

This MoU underscores the growing momentum in India–Bhutan economic cooperation and reinforces GMC’s position as one of Asia’s most promising new destinations for sustainable and responsible investment.

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The partnership builds on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), advancing aerospace technology transfer and innovation in both countries, and aligns with the goals of India-UK Vision 2035. The MoU begins with an initial two-year term, offering both companies the opportunity to advance localisation, conduct joint trials, and shape a definitive agreement for deployment in India.

Together, Bharat Forge and Windracers expect to address emerging requirements across the Indian military and civil sectors with ULTRA’s capabilities, including Carrier On Board Delivery (COD) operations for the Indian Navy, critical logistics for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, and other key roles in varied operational environments.

“We are delighted to partner with Windracers under the positive climate fostered by the UK-India FTA,” said Amit Kalyani, Joint MD of Bharat Forge. “Windracers ULTRA not only enhances India’s indigenous UAV capabilities but also delivers robust solutions for high-stakes logistics across some of the world’s most challenging geographies. With an industry-leading payload capacity and proven performance in high-altitude, maritime, and remote terrains, Windracers ULTRA is uniquely suited to tri-service needs expanding our reach with an offering tailored to all three domains – naval, air and land – and aligning with Indian Ministry of Defence’s 15-year roadmap that prioritizes unmanned logistics, naval operations, high-altitude supply chains, and dual-use technologies.”

Windracers ULTRA has already proven its multi-mission resilience and reliability in international operations, including its ongoing support for Antarctic research missions, and is expected to deliver similar advantages to India by enabling safe and efficient transport over hazardous and inaccessible terrain.

Simon Muderack, CEO of Windracers, said: “Collaborating with Bharat Forge represents a major step in expanding the dual-use operation of Windracers ULTRA. Our partnership will leverage the years of ULTRA research, development, testing, and operation, and deliver strategic benefits and operational autonomy for India’s defence and civil stakeholders.”

Windracers ULTRA uses proprietary mission control and autopilot systems and is designed for endurance missions of six to seven hours. ULTRA is designed and built to operate across diverse environments, from India’s oceanic and island regions, high-altitude Himalayan terrain, and the remote Northeast of India.

The MoU aligns with Bharat Forge’s and Windracers’ broader aerospace growth strategy of advancing UAV capabilities in India, supporting innovation, technology transfer, and strategic aerospace applications across defence.

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Under the MOU, Amazon India will share relevant job openings with AWPO, which focuses on the three pillars of the military community 1. Veterans, 2. Military spouses and 3. War widows – for employment opportunities. Amazon will also conduct awareness sessions, including webinars and workshops, to guide prospective applicants through available roles and career progression opportunities within the company.

“At Amazon, our commitment to building a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace is paramount. We recognize that veterans and military spouses exemplify Leadership Principles such as Bias for Action, Ownership, and Deliver Results—bringing operational excellence, mission focus, and leadership that align strongly with Amazon’s culture. This partnership with the Army Welfare Placement Organization is a vital step in deepening our support for ex-service personnel, military spouses, and war widows, providing them with meaningful career opportunities that leverage their unique strengths and experiences. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Indian Army for enabling this strategic partnership,” said Deepti Varma, VP – People Experience and Technology at Amazon Stores India, Japan, and Emerging Markets.

This collaboration is aligned with Amazon’s global commitment to supporting military families through initiatives such as the Military Spouse Fellowship Program and the Military Hiring Program, which provide career pathways, mentorship, and flexibility for veterans, including spouses.

Speaking about the MoU, Maj Gen Ajay Singh Chauhan, Shaurya Chakra, Sena Medal (Retd.), Managing Director at Army Welfare Placement Organization, said, “The AWPO is deeply committed to the welfare of our service personnel and their families. Our collaboration with Amazon India significantly strengthens our mission to connect deserving veterans, military spouses, and war widows with meaningful employment opportunities. These individuals bring exceptional resilience and a diverse range of skills to the workforce. This partnership establishes a structured pathway for them to access corporate roles, fostering economic independence and enhancing their overall well-being. We sincerely appreciate Amazon’s recognition of the valuable skillsets and unwavering dedication of military veterans, spouses, and war widows to bring them into their organization.’’

Amazon has already successfully integrated hundreds of military veterans into its workforce in India. The company offers specialized career support, including tailored interview preparation, peer mentorship networks like ‘Warriors At Amazon’, and career advancement pathways designed for the military community.

The initiative also reflects Amazon’s broader commitment to foster an inclusive workplace by expanding opportunities for all underrepresented communities—including women, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, veterans, and now military spouses and war widows. The MoU is another step towards enabling diverse talent to thrive across Amazon’s vast network of roles spanning multiple functions and job families.

Sharing her experience with Amazon as an employee of 8 years and a military spouse, Priyanka Bali, Senior Product Manager, Amazon Devices, shares, ”Being a military spouse comes with unique challenges, especially when it comes to maintaining career continuity through frequent relocations and transitions. Amazon’s flexibility and support have allowed me to build a stable, fulfilling career while continuing to honor my family’s commitments to military service. It’s empowering to be part of a company that truly understands and values the military spouse community.”

Interested veterans, military spouses, and war widows can find more information about career opportunities at Amazon India by visiting the Amazon India Career Page: https://amazon.jobs/en/?cmpid=PR_OTIS203799C

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MUMBAI: UST, a leading digital transformation solutions company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, one of India’s leading higher education institutions, to establish an academic-industry collaboration. The MoU was formally exchanged at UST’s Thiruvananthapuram Campus and outlines a multi-dimensional partnership between UST and BITS Pilani that will promote innovation, talent nurturing, and joint research to bridge academia and industry for creating solutions with real-world impact.

The partnership aims to focus on advanced research and co-creation in frontier domains such as Photonics, Quantum Computing, VLSI, Humanoid Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and MedTech. Through joint research programs, patents, Proof of Concept (PoCs) projects, and commercialization-ready products will be developed under the shared guidance of UST’s engineering experts and BITS Pilani’s academic leadership.

The MoU was exchanged in the presence of Alexander Varghese, Chief Operating Officer, UST; Gilroy Mathew, SVP & Global Head of Engineering, UST; Shilpa Menon, Center Head – Trivandrum; Sarath Raj, Senior Director & Head – HR BSE-APAC; Ashok G Nair, Bhavesh Sasirajan, Deepti Sujatha, and Nikitha Bahadur from UST. Prof. Sanket Goel, Dean (R&I), and Dr. Praloy Mondal, Program Manager, CREST, were present on behalf of BITS Pilani.

Speaking on the occasion, Gilroy Mathew, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Engineering, UST, said,

Prof. Sanket Goel, Dean – Research & Innovation, BITS Pilani, added,

As part of this collaboration, UST will co-develop research programs aligned to pressing industry problems, provide technical mentorship, enable prototyping infrastructure, and support commercialization of innovation outcomes. Areas of cooperation also include semiconductor testing, data-driven engineering, cloud computing, sustainable technologies, and AI-powered industrial solutions. UST will additionally engage with the BITS Pilani placement cell to recruit emerging talent while participating in curriculum design and faculty development efforts.

This collaboration also underscores UST’s commitment to advancing engineering R&D on a global scale. With deep expertise across semiconductor design, software-defined mobility, smart manufacturing, and immersive technologies, UST delivers AI-integrated solutions from chip to cloud. Together, these capabilities position UST as a global leader in delivering adaptive, next-generation engineering solutions.

UST, with expertise in AI/ML for semiconductor validation, automotive predictive maintenance, autonomous driving simulations, and robotic actuators, can drive applied research by sharing real-world datasets and industry challenges. This partnership will leverage BITS Pilani’s AI ecosystem to co-develop market-ready solutions, upskill talent, and advance India’s automotive and robotics sector.

The MoU is poised to drive lasting impact by embedding innovation, agility, and industry relevance into the academic ecosystem, empowering students and faculty to make meaningful contributions. This strategic collaboration with BITS Pilani marks yet another step in UST’s journey to shape the future of deep-tech innovation and India’s talent force.

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This MoU was signed under the guidance of Dr. Anurag Kashyap, Principal, BNCA. Dr. Kashyap said that this agreement will enable joint studios and joint research between the two educational institutions. A student exchange program will also be undertaken under this initiative. A visit to the Czech Republic was organised under the leadership of Dr. Shruti Joshi, head of this project, along with Prof. Surbhi Gadkari and Prof. Pooja Ghorpade. Four professors and twelve postgraduate students from the College of Architecture at ARCHIP University participated in this workshop. 

Dr. Shruti Joshi informed that the workshop studied the metro station area in Veleslavin, a suburb of Prague in the Czech Republic. A proposal was submitted by BNCA students regarding the potential of opening new facilities in the open spaces around the metro station, also using the urban design interventions and landscape to attract the new generation, and making the most efficient use of the space. For this, we and our students discussed and adopted an urban design approach while considering the need for more residential areas, along with other buildings, and the appropriate use of the open spaces in between. Addressing various challenges, like increasing the demographic diversity and creating more interactive spaces, formed the basis of the local area plan for Veleslavin.  

She further said that the workshop was organized to suggest practical solutions from an architectural perspective on various urban planning issues. The workshop started in January 2025 this year when professors and students from ARCHIP University in the Czech Republic came to BNCA in Pune. The first workshop was organized on the same topic of metro stations in Pune at that time. The workshop in Prague was the second stage of this collaboration.

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MUMBAI: The Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI) signed an MOU with the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) to facilitate investments from France into Maharashtra. An initial MoU was signed in September 2021 and this renewal was signed during a high-level roundtable discussion organized on, ‘The Ease of Doing Business in Maharashtra’ held in the presence of over 25 CEOs from top French companies operating in sectors such as automotive, renewable energy, chemicals, IT, transport, consumer goods, construction etc. The MoU was signed by Mr. P. Velrasu, CEO, MIDC, and Mr. Benoit Renard, Vice President, IFCCI and Managing Director, Air Liquide India.

The MoU aims to:

• Enhance bilateral trade and investment flows between France and Maharashtra
• Facilitate the entry of new French companies into the State
• Support the expansion of existing French businesses in Maharashtra
• Foster a conducive industrial environment aligned with Maharashtra’s Ease of Doing Business initiatives

On this occasion, Payal S. Kanwar, Director General, IFCCI stated that, “France has deep economic interests in the State of Maharashtra and is committed to enhance its positioning towards investments and job creation into the state; the renewal of the MOU with MIDC is a testimony of the growing interest and expansion of French companies in the state of Maharashtra and we look forward to building a strong partnership.”

Shri P. Velrasu, CEO, MIDC, welcomed the initiative and noted that such forums are very important for MIDC to help industries and ensure an inclusive environment. Shri P Velrasu welcomed the MoU between the two organizations and also noted that the forums should regularly convene to bring more momentum and allow MIDC to help solve industry issues. He also assured the industry representatives that MIDC is dedicated to addressing the issues of industries and is actively taking steps to bring ease of doing business in the state.

The roundtable discussion served as a platform for French industry leaders to engage in a constructive deliberation and dialogue with MIDC, sharing on-ground experiences and recommendations to further streamline business operations and investment processes in the State.

The renewal of the IFCCI-MIDC partnership is a pivotal step in strengthening the Indo-French industrial corridor, fostering innovation, sustainable growth, and mutual prosperity.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Hon’ble Deputy Consul, Mr. Sami Bouakaze, Consulate General of France in India and Mr. Benoit Gauthier, Minister Counsellor for Economic and Financial Affairs & Head, Regional Economic Department, Embassy of France in India along with top key French investors and business leaders who were present for the event.

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