Maharashtra Eyes Rs 95,000 Crore Investment in IT Sector with Bengaluru Roadshow

The Maharashtra government, in a strategic move to bolster its information technology and IT-enabled services sectors, conducted a road show in Bengaluru on Tuesday. This initiative, aimed at attracting investments, saw the participation of Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation's (MIDC) joint chief executive Anil Bhandari, who highlighted the state's ambition to secure investments worth Rs 95,000 crore. This target is set as part of Maharashtra's IT policy, which was adopted last year.

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The event, held at a Bengaluru hotel renowned for its significance in India's IT sector, was organized in collaboration with the industry lobby Assocham. It witnessed the attendance of senior officials from leading companies such as IBM, Adobe, Wipro, J P Morgan Chase, and Linkedin. Additionally, executives from various realty companies and brokerages were present, indicating a broad interest in Maharashtra's IT and ITeS sector growth prospects.

Maharashtra's development commissioner for industries, Deependra Singh Kushwah, emphasized the state's focus on emerging technologies including the internet of things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and augmented and virtual reality. Kushwah pointed out that Maharashtra's business-friendly policies, excellent connectivity, reliable power and water supply, alongside a highly skilled workforce, are key factors that will drive the IT and ITeS sector's expansion in the state.

Anil Bhandari also shed light on Maharashtra's status as the data centre hub of India. The state is aiming to double its capacity in this domain within the next four to five years. Bhandari further mentioned Maharashtra's potential to evolve into a hub for global capability centres (GCC). Currently, several IT, ITeS, and GCC players are operational from Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur.

Reflecting on the roadshow's significance, Assocham southern region council's chairman and Toyota Kirloskar's executive advisor T R Parsuraman expressed enthusiasm about welcoming representatives from Maharashtra. The aim is to explore mutually beneficial opportunities between Maharashtra and Karnataka, fostering growth in the IT sector across both states.

This initiative by the Maharashtra government not only underscores its commitment to enhancing the state's IT infrastructure but also positions it as a leading destination for investments in technology and innovation. With its strategic focus on emerging technologies and creating an enabling environment for businesses, Maharashtra is set to further solidify its position as a key player in India's IT landscape.