Maharashtra to gain from bilateral agreements, says Devendra Fadnavis at Davos

Maharashtra is poised for a fresh push in industrial growth following a series of international trade discussions held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on Wednesday IST reported news agency ANIMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said global partnerships and trade agreements are crucial for the state as they help attract new factories and business opportunities keeping Maharashtra at the forefront of Indiarsquos economic growth He noted that the state has already emerged as a preferred destination for largescale energy investments including a recently announced lithium refineryExplaining Maharashtrarsquos strategic advantage Fadnavis said the arrival of the lithium refinery and other investments underscores the benefits of international cooperation ldquoAny bilateral agreement is beneficial to a state like Maharashtra which has always been a growth engine of the Indian economy Bilateral tieups and free trade agreements are always very beneficial for Maharashtrardquo he said reported ANIThe Chief Minister also announced a new initiative to leverage advanced medical technology to make healthcare more affordable and accessible across the state Speaking at a special session in Switzerland he said the Maharashtra government held discussions with global medical technology companies on deploying modern equipment and digital health solutions to reduce treatment costs for the common citizenDavos is essential for staying relevant in todays geopolitics Fadnavis on adapting to new technologyMeanwhile Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday Indian Standard Time said the Davos summit plays a crucial role in helping India keep pace with global shifts in geopolitics innovation and technology He noted that participation in such international platforms allows states to understand emerging business trends attract investment and adopt modern processes back home reported ANIEmphasising the value of engagement at Davos Fadnavis said Indiarsquos presence at the forum has been ldquovery effectively registeredrdquo with participation from ten states reflecting the spirit of cooperative and competitive federalism promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ldquoWe are all here representing ourselves in that spirit Davos is essential for staying relevant in todayrsquos geopolitics and connected economy If you want to remain relevant you have to come hererdquo he saidThe Chief Minister added that Davos offers a unique opportunity for governments and businesses to interact learn about innovation technology and evolving business processes and understand how the global economy is changing ldquoWhen businesses connect there are clear benefits Investments also follow This time Maharashtra has focused on largescale strategic collaborationsrdquo he said reported ANIThe 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum is being held from January 19 to 23 2026 at DavosKlosters The event has drawn nearly 3000 participants from more than 130 countries including a record number of world leaders CEOs innovators and policymakers under the theme ldquoA Spirit of Dialoguerdquo Leaders from government business civil society and academia are expected to deliberate on pressing global challenges and set future priorities underscoring the call for bold collective action