CM Eknath Shinde claims one lakh jobs to accrue from MoUs signed at Davos

CM Shinde takes a veiled jibe at opposition MVA, especially at rival Thackeray clan, Shinde says MoUs worth Rs. 1.37 lakh crore will be actually implemented and will not remain on paper.

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Mumbai: A visibly elated Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday remarked that despite global economic recession, investors were attracted towards India and especially Maharashtra. He claimed that one lakh direct or indirect jobs would be created as a result of the memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed at the World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos, Switzerland. 

Speaking to media persons after landing at the Mumbai International Airport following his return from Davos, Shinde said that MoUs to the tune of Rs. 1.37 lakh crore had been signed at the WEF and that this figure would rise with more investors expected to sign MoUs in Mumbai in the near future. 

In a veiled jibe aimed at the opposition ‘Maha Vikas Aghadi’ (MVA) and in particular at the rival Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Aaditya Thackeray, Shinde remarked that these MoUs would be executed on the ground and not just remain on paper. 

Shinde taking a dig at former UBT Sena minister Aaditya Thackeray visit to Davos in May 2022, remarked “The fact that MoUs to the tune of Rs. 1.37 lakh crore were signed is a big thing in itself. This figure is set to exceed Rs. 1.50 lakh crore as the State Industries Minister (Uday Samant) and his team will be signing more MoUs today and tomorrow. But these MoUs will be executed and implemented at the ground level…That is the most important thing. They are not MoUs that were just drawn-up.”

He further added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s imprint and popularity was evident everywhere at the WEF. Shinde said everyone was enthusiastic about investing in India and particularly Maharashtra. He said he would be discussing his Davos visit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter’s visit to Mumbai on Thursday. 

“We all have been working under the PM’s guidance for the last eight years. His soaring popularity has also helped in showcasing Maharashtra’s progress. The PM’s Mumbai visit will be beneficial for Maharashtra,” added Eknath Shinde. 

The six-month-old Shinde-Fadnavis government has been facing flak from the Opposition MVA coalition for reportedly ‘losing’ big-ticket projects like Vedanta-Foxconn to neighbouring Gujarat. 

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde further remarked, “The attraction towards Maharashtra was evident in my meetings with several foreign dignitaries who visited the ‘Maharashtra Pavilion’ in Davos, including the Luxembourg PM and important personages from Saudi Arabia, who showed eagerness to invest in a number of sectors in the State. This is a matter of great pride for us.” 

The Chief Minister said that from the discussions he had with foreign dignitaries and global investors, it was clear that they reposed great trust in Maharashtra and viewed the State as “pro-industry” and “pro-investment.” 

Shinde further added, “The WEF event has been extremely satisfying and the State will benefit immensely from this. We have assured investors at Davos that we will roll out the red carpet for them in the form of attractive subsidies, tax benefits, and special packages. Even when we formed the new government, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and myself had already taken decisions at the cabinet meeting to benefit industry and create a suitable climate for investment like single- window clearance.”