Maharashtra right place to meet, forge alliances: CM Devendra Fadnavis

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday called upon Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to forge an alliance with Maharashtra, asserting that the state is a business leader and favoured destination for investors.

"If you look at the national GDP, Maharashtra is a major contributor. When it comes to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), out of the total FDI that came to India last year, 50 per cent of it alone came to Maharashtra. Even in exports we account for 30 per cent of India's total export. So this is the right place to meet and forge alliances,'' noted Fadnavis while he was speaking at the India-Israel Business Summit in the presence of Netanyahu and industry leaders from Israel.

Fadnavis informed those in attendance that with Israel's help the state has started the Centre of Excellence. In turn, Netanyahu announced that Israel will increase the number of Centres of Excellence from the current 20 to 30 in India. Fadnavis also spoke of Maharashtra starting the 'Joining the Dots' initiative in agricultural co-operation, and stressed areas which will change the face of agriculture in the state and nation. "With the help of Israel and technologies offered by them, we will surely double the income of our farmers. And I look forward to many such alliances,'' he said.

The Chief Minister said a lot of Israeli businesses will collaborate, cooperate and flourish with their Indian counterparts especially in technology and agriculture. "Israel has nine sectors of collaboration with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and from Maharashtra we are very keen to work in all those sectors. We look forward to a great partnership,'' added Fadnavis.

CM'S NOTES TO ISRAEL PM

Maharashtra a major contributor to national GDP

50% of total FDI last year came to Maharashtra

30% of India's total exports are from Maharashtra