Maharashtra will launch infrastructure projects worth Rs one lakh crore for 2017-18, the Chief Minister Mr. Devendra Fadanvis said today, adding that this will spur growth in sectors such as infrastructure, ICT, Tourism, among others.

Stating that Maharashtra has topped the Niti Aayog list of Indian states in terms of investment, particularly in infrastructure projects, the chief minister said that Rs 5.96 lakh crore investments have gone into various projects in 2016-17, He said that the state has attracted 53 percent of total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) channelized into the country in 2016-17 and has emerged the most sought after destination for foreign investors, including the US companies.

Laying emphasis on the future investment that the state requires, Mr. Fadanvis said that technology, innovation and infrastructure are the key focus areas. “The state has never experienced an economic growth of this dimension ever before as that has happened in the last three years. We will keep the tempo up in the coming years”, the chief minister said.

Mr. Fadanvis said the state has given impetus to improve the infrastructure, promoted ease of doing business, introduced digital framework for seamless business activities and called upon US companies to take advantage of the Indian capabilities and demographic dividends given the fact that 50% of Indian population is below 25%.

Applauding the IACC’s contribution to cement Indo-US ties, Mr. Fadanvis said it was US-China partnership in the 20th century but the world’s oldest democracy and the biggest democracy are coming together in the 21st century.

The indo-US relationship is assuming more importance given the excellent rapport Prime Minsiter Mr. Narendra Modi developed with previous US government headed by Mr. Barrack Obama and presently Mr. Donald Trump.

Earlier, Mr. N Srinivasan, National President IACC, welcoming the guests, laid focus on renewable energy, trade promotion, infrastructure development are the key areas for the future growth of the Indo-US economic engagement. He also wanted a wish-list from the US investors to be given to the IACC for dissemination among the Indian businesses.

Mr. Nanik Rupani, IACC Convention Co-Chair while explaining the broad contours of the theme of the convention mentioned about how the convention became a catalyst for bringing together Indo-US businesses on a single platform.