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MIDC invites Chilean investors to participate in Maharashtra’s USD 1 trillion economic vision
World Trade Center Mumbai and All India Association of Industries (AIAI) organised an interactive meeting with a High-Level Business Delegation from Chile
representing EdTech, Biotechnology, Renewable Energy, Start-ups, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Construction, Mining, Banking & Financial services and IT services.
The delegation was led by Mr. Jorge Loyola Castro, Trade Commissioner to India, ProChile. Mr. Castro informed, “Chilean President has visited India with the largest delegation ever
led by the present Chilean government to any country. This is the first Chilean Presidential visit to India in 16 years. A key highlight of this visit is the launch of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Agreement (CEPA) with India. Both the countries have set an ambitious target of concluding negotiation for this agreement by the end of 2025. We deliver what we promise.”
Mr. Castro further informed, “We are keen to strengthen trade relations with India in priority sectors such as agriculture, critical minerals and renewable energy. There is great potential for
export of Chilean walnuts, cherries and wines to India. ProChile has signed agreement with the Forum of Indian Food Importers (FIFI) to deepen trade and investment in agriculture sector.”
Mr. Castro pointed out that he is visiting Mumbai for the fifth time in the last eight months of his service in India and he plans to deepen trade and investment between Maharashtra and Chile by
facilitating exchange of delegations, participation in trade fairs, exhibitions and other trade events.
Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Kunal Khemnar, (IAS), Joint Chief Executive Officer, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) invited Chilean companies to participate in Maharashtra’s
goal of USD 1 trillion economy from the current size of USD 510 billion. “Our mission is to promote industrialization in 10 industrially backward districts. The Gadchiroli Steel City is the success
story of our industrialization effort even in Naxal-affected areas. I assure single window clearance and all business support to Chilean companies willing to invest in Maharashtra,” he remarked.
Mr. Khemnar informed, “MIDC has the largest land bank among all the government corporations in India and operates the largest water supply network in Asia. MIDC operates 300 industrial areas across
Maharashtra and it has invested in inland container depots, water & electricity network all all other support facilities. MIDC is the Special Planning Authority in Integrated Industrial Areas, where
Chilean investors can operate economic zones or industrial area. MIDC is developing defence manufacturing clusters in Ratnagiri, Nagpur, food processing clusters in Konkan, electronic clusters in Pune,
electric vehicle cluster in Aurangabad. The Steel City in Gadchiroli and the Industrial Smart City AURIC are recent success stories of industrial clusters. Chilean companies can invest at industrial area
40 km near Dighi Port, which is 2 hours drive from Pune and Mumbai and where more than 6,000 acre land is available.”
Mr. Khemnar informed that the state will soon release New Industrial Policy and it is willing to customize policies related to electronics and other sectors to meet the unique needs of industry.
Maharashtra is already a pioneer in Drone policy, IT and aerospace policies, he informed.
Speaking about the advantage of Maharashtra, Mr. Khemnar mentioned, “The state has 54 minor and major airports and the upcoming Vadhvan Port will have 23 million TEU container handling capacity,
more than the capacity of all the ports in Eastern coasts of India.”
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Dr. Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, WTC Mumbai and President, All India Association of Industries (AIAI) mentioned, “The visit of the Chilean President comes at the most
opportune time when India is signing new trade agreements and strategic alliances with different countries. I congratulate both the governments for launching negotiation for the Comprehensive Economic
Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and I hope we can soon conclude this. There is tremendous scope to enhance trade and investment relations in agriculture, mining, R&D, energy and other critical sectors.”
Dr. Kalantri expressed optimism that under the dynamic leadership of the Chilean Trade Commissioner the bilateral trade can double next year from the current level of USD 2.6 billion. He extended all
possible support to enhance two-way trade and investment relations in the coming years. Dr. Kalantri informed, “WTC Mumbai organizes more than 64 trade events annually with special focus on empowering MSMEs,
startups and women entrepreneurs. WTC Mumbai organised India-Latin America Conclave some years ago, which received overwhelming response from more than 17 Ambassadors and Consulate offices of all the
Latin American countries.”
WTC Mumbai can facilitate exchange of delegations and visits to MIDC industrial areas for Chilean companies to exchange ideas and explore collaboration between businesses of both the countries.
In future, Dr. Kalantri suggested introduction of trade settlement in Chilean Peso and Indian rupee to facilitate two-way trade.
Dr. Kalantri concluded that India and Chile have great potential to strengthen economic partnership at a time when US administration is erecting tariff barrier with its trade partners.
In his remarks, Mr. Amitabh Singh, Chief Postmaster General, Maharashtra Circle highlighted the recent initiatives of Indian Post such as Dak Niryat Kendra for export facilitation in rural areas.
He also informed about other initiatives such as paper-less customs clearance, inhouse customs and truck control checking system for seamless movement of goods.
Ms. Rupa Naik, Executive Director, WTC Mumbai proposed vote of thanks for the event. Ms. Naik suggested Chilean companies to explore investment opportunities in Maharashtra, which is the leading
industrial state of India. Ms. Naik also complimented India Post for establishing Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra in rural areas, which she described as a landmark initiative, to facilitate exports from small
scale enterprises.
The event was attended by more than 20 Chilean companies, who engaged in fruitful business to business meetings with around 70 Indian companies to explore trade, investment, technology tie-ups and joint ventures.
