Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praised the state as the driving force behind India’s economic growth, expressing confidence that Maharashtra could soon become the first trillion-dollar sub-economy in the country. Speaking at the CNBC-TV18 India Business Leader Awards (IBLA) in Mumbai, Fadnavis highlighted Maharashtra's role as a business powerhouse and a key player in India's economic landscape, stating, We are back and we are back with a bang. The Chief Minister thanked the people of Maharashtra for their overwhelming support in the recent state elections. He described the mandate won by the Mahayuti coalition as unprecedented and expressed gratitude for the responsibility given to his government to propel the state to greater economic heights. Reflecting on the election results, Fadnavis acknowledged that the massive victory had come as a surprise, attributing it to the success of the government's initiatives and promises fulfilled. He further mentioned that Maharashtra had followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message, “ek hai toh safe hai,” which had worked like magic during the elections. Fadnavis expressed optimism about Maharashtra's economic future, pointing out that the state had already secured 52% of India’s total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the first half of the fiscal year. He also noted that while Karnataka had overtaken Maharashtra when the BJP lost its government in the state, Maharashtra’s advantages, such as Mumbai being the country’s financial hub, set it apart from other states like Gujarat. The Chief Minister spoke about the development of a new business district near Navi Mumbai, which he referred to as third Mumbai, a zone three times the size of the current Mumbai. He called it the next business capital of India and emphasized that the government is working to make the state more business-friendly and hassle-free for investors. He also mentioned significant infrastructure projects underway in Maharashtra, including the Vadhavan port, which he described as one of the largest ports in India and set to transform the maritime economy. Fadnavis added that Prime Minister Modi had announced plans to build a third airport at the Vadhavan port, further strengthening Maharashtra’s strategic infrastructure. The Chief Minister concluded his remarks by expressing confidence that Maharashtra was on track for a record year in FDI, signaling the beginning of a new era of growth and prosperity. His vision for Maharashtra underlined the state's immense potential and its strategic focus on business expansion and infrastructure development.