Amit Shah Inaugurates MACCIA HQ, Highlights Maharashtra’s Industrial Growth

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the newly constructed headquarters of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA) in Mumbai today. He also participated in a high-profile State-Level Cooperative Industrial Conference, a gathering that underscored the government’s focus on promoting cooperative and industrial growth in India’s most economically significant state.

The event witnessed the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister of State for Cooperation Shri Murlidhar Mohol, and other prominent dignitaries from the spheres of governance, industry, and agriculture.

Honoring a Century of Visionary Leadership

In his keynote address, Shri Shah paid tribute to Shri Seth Walchand Hirachand, one of India’s foremost industrial visionaries and a founding pillar of MACCIA. He described Shri Walchand as a rare leader who went beyond personal interests to develop institutions and industries that served both society and the nation.

“When a visionary rises above personal interests to lay the foundation for something, they surely receive divine blessings,” Shri Shah said.

He remarked that MACCIA completing 100 years is not just a milestone but a moment for introspection and transformation. He emphasized that although traditions and operational frameworks become outdated over time, they must evolve to meet the needs of modern India’s dynamic economic environment.

Need for Reform in Industrial Chambers

Calling for strategic reform in the functioning of industry and trade bodies across India, the Home Minister urged MACCIA and similar organizations to engage professional agencies to revamp their methods in tune with modern policymaking and global economic trends.

“Chambers must align with the transformation in governance, policymaking, and global commerce. Their utility must be continuously evaluated and updated to reflect contemporary challenges,” Shri Shah stressed.

Maharashtra’s Role in India’s Economic Rise

Shri Shah celebrated India’s rise to the fourth-largest economy in the world, overtaking the very nation that once ruled it. He said this ascent mirrors Maharashtra’s contribution to national development, calling the state “a symbol of India’s industrial journey” and “the financial heartbeat of the country.”

He listed key achievements that highlight Maharashtra’s dominant economic position:

• Highest state GDP among all Indian states

• 39% share of total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India

• Highest number of startups in India (25% share)

• Top recipient of foreign tourists

• Largest number of income tax return filings by women

• Lead participant in the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project

• Host to India’s upcoming largest port at Vadhavan

Shri Shah further added that Maharashtra’s prosperity is being amplified by the Centre-State double-engine model under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. The Union and State governments are jointly implementing infrastructure and development projects worth over ₹7 lakh crore in and around Mumbai.

Surging Central Support to Maharashtra

Highlighting the Centre’s unprecedented financial support, Shri Shah noted that during the UPA years (2004–2014), Maharashtra received just ₹1.91 lakh crore in grants and devolution. In contrast, under Prime Minister Modi, this figure surged to ₹7.82 lakh crore between 2014 and 2024, reflecting the Centre’s commitment to balanced and inclusive growth.

India’s Economic Evolution and Vision of Team India

Reflecting on India’s broader economic transformation, the Minister noted that under Prime Minister Modi, the country has witnessed sweeping policy reforms across all sectors, accompanied by robust implementation mechanisms. From cooperative federalism to tax rationalization, from ease of doing business to tech-driven governance, the nation has embraced change.

Shri Shah lauded PM Modi’s concept of “Team India”, where both the Centre and States work in unison.

“The development of India is only possible when the Centre and the States walk together. That’s the spirit behind Team India.”

He credited this collaborative mindset for India’s rapid progress on the global stage, stating that the country’s increasing passport strength, improved infrastructure, and international respect are direct results of this synergy.

MACCIA’s Role in Shaping Future Policy

Applauding MACCIA’s active engagement with the government, Shri Shah said that the Chamber is not just representing business interests but also helping shape future-ready policies. He encouraged MACCIA to play a stronger role in voicing the concerns of trade, agriculture, and MSMEs, and in helping shape India's response to global economic disruptions.

“MACCIA’s centenary year is not just a time to celebrate, but to innovate and contribute to national policy,” he stated.

The inauguration of MACCIA’s headquarters symbolizes not just a new chapter for one of India’s oldest chambers, but a reaffirmation of Maharashtra’s leadership in the national economic landscape. As India prepares for its next leap forward, collaborative platforms like MACCIA are poised to play a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of inclusive and sustainable growth.