Mumbai's political leadership is gearing up for a major international push. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will personally lead a high-level state delegation to Davos, Switzerland. The team departs on January 17 and returns on January 24, 2026. Their mission is clear: participate in the prestigious World Economic Forum Annual Meeting and attract fresh capital to Maharashtra.
A Platform for Global Engagement
The World Economic Forum meeting serves as a critical global stage. It fosters trust-based discussions, vigorous debate, and meaningful public dialogue. The core objective aligns perfectly with Maharashtra's goals: promoting substantial investment and deepening economic cooperation with international partners.
A government resolution issued this Wednesday formalized the plan. It confirms the Chief Minister's travel to Davos for the crucial summit. The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation will cover all travel and accommodation costs for the delegation.
Coordinating National and State Efforts
The Government of India is actively involved through its Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. DPIIT will participate to champion investment across the entire country. For coordination, the Confederation of Indian Industry has been appointed the nodal agency. CII will manage activities related to the prominent India Pavilion at the event.
CII specifically invited the Maharashtra government to secure a slot within the India Pavilion. The state government accepted this invitation and officially booked its participation space, as detailed in the GR.
The Delegation Roster
Who is joining CM Fadnavis on this important trip? The delegation features key figures from the state administration:
- Industries Minister Uday Samant
- Additional Chief Secretary to the CM, Ashwini Bhide
- A select group of other senior officials
The Ministry of External Affairs has granted its necessary approval for the Maharashtra delegation's visit to Switzerland. All members will receive travel expenses and a daily allowance according to standard government norms. Their absence from duty during the trip will be officially treated as being on duty.
The government resolution includes a significant follow-up requirement. A detailed report covering the tour and its concrete outcomes must be submitted within one month of the delegation's return to India.
Building on Past Success
This year's mission follows a remarkably successful outing in 2025. During the previous World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, CM Fadnavis announced staggering investment commitments totaling Rs 15.7 lakh crore. These pledges materialized through 54 separate memorandums of understanding signed with both domestic and foreign investors.
Breaking Down the 2025 Investments
The single largest commitment came from the Reliance Group. It pledged a massive Rs 3.05 lakh crore for a diverse portfolio of projects. These spanned petrochemicals, polyester, renewable energy, and bioenergy. The commitment also covered green hydrogen, green chemicals, retail, telecommunications, and data centres. Industrial development, hospitality, and real estate projects were included as well.
Other major investments targeted several growing sectors. Data centres, advanced manufacturing, steel production, large-scale infrastructure, and electric vehicle manufacturing all received significant attention. The state government also placed a strong emphasis on technology and startup ecosystems. Mumbai was prominently positioned as a key technology hub for future growth.
Focus on Regional Development
A noteworthy aspect of the 2025 investment drive was its geographical focus. A significant portion of the capital was earmarked for Maharashtra's less developed regions. Several deals specifically targeted areas like Marathwada, northern Maharashtra, and Vidarbha. These regions have historically received far less investment compared to the bustling Mumbai metropolitan area and the prosperous Mumbai-Pune industrial corridor.
Chief Minister Fadnavis expressed strong confidence that those MoUs would translate into real, grounded projects. He highlighted the state's impressive track record. Maharashtra has historically converted about 65 to 70 percent of its MoUs into actual, functioning projects. This conversion rate stands well above the national average, which typically hovers between 35 to 40 percent.
The 2026 Davos delegation now carries the weight of this precedent. Their goal is to build upon past successes, forge new partnerships, and bring more transformative investment to every corner of Maharashtra.
