- Chhattisgarh presents roadmap for a youth-centric economy at the World Leaders Forum
- AI training for 6 lakh students; target of 5,000 startups by 2030
- Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai invites investors to Chhattisgarh from the global platform
- State receives investment proposals worth over ₹8 lakh crore following the new industrial policy
- AI, semiconductors, electronics, data centers, green energy, and pharmaceuticals to serve as growth engines for the new economy
- New avenues for development, tourism, investment, and employment opening up alongside peace in Bastar
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presented Chhattisgarh’s rapidly evolving economic landscape, vast investment potential, and roadmap for future development to prominent global economic figures at the two-day World Leaders Forum held in New Delhi. The Chief Minister stated that Chhattisgarh is moving beyond its traditional identity rooted in industry and minerals, rapidly advancing towards a new economy driven by youth power, innovation, artificial intelligence, startups, green energy, and modern manufacturing.
Chief Minister Sai emphasized that the state government’s goal is not merely to attract large-scale investments but to link investment with employment, entrepreneurship, better incomes, and a bright future for the youth. State policies and schemes are being reshaped with the vision that Chhattisgarh’s youth should not remain mere job seekers but should create employment opportunities for others through their innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.
Prominent figures from India and across the globe are participating in the forum, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, and former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Economy of ₹6.31 Lakh Crore, Growth Rate of 11.57 Percent
Highlighting Chhattisgarh’s economic progress, Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that the state’s economy has reached a size of approximately ₹6.31 lakh crore in the year 2025-26, with an economic growth rate of 11.57 percent. The state’s per capita income has also risen to ₹1,79,244. He noted that equal priority has been accorded to development and public welfare to ensure the benefits of the state’s economic growth reach every section of society.
He mentioned that the budget of ₹1.72 lakh crore for the year 2026-27 places special emphasis on infrastructure development, capital expenditure, and social welfare. Systematic efforts are underway to establish Chhattisgarh as a key investment destination in the country by strengthening road, rail, energy, and digital connectivity, as well as industrial infrastructure.
- Investment Proposals Worth Over ₹8 Lakh Crore Following New Industrial Policy
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that creating an investment-friendly and transparent environment in Chhattisgarh is among the government’s top priorities. Investment processes have been simplified and made time-bound through the New Industrial Development Policy 2024-30, the ‘One-Click Single Window System 2.0’, and reforms related to the ‘Ease of Doing Business’.
He noted that over 450 processes have been simplified in the last two years. These reforms have yielded positive results, and the state has received investment proposals exceeding ₹8 lakh crore since the implementation of the new industrial policy.
The Chief Minister stated that alongside traditional sectors like steel, cement, and mineral-based industries, new avenues for investment have opened up in future-oriented sectors such as semiconductors, electronics, artificial intelligence, data centers, pharmaceuticals, textiles, logistics, green energy, and food processing.
- 5,000 Startups by 2030; Youth to Become Job Creators
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that the youth are at the core of Chhattisgarh’s new economy. The government wants the state’s youth to become ‘job creators’ rather than merely ‘job seekers’ waiting for employment.
He stated that a target has been set to develop 5,000 startups in the state by the year 2030. Seed fund assistance of up to ₹10 lakh is being provided to new entrepreneurs to transform their innovative ideas into businesses. Along with strengthening the startup ecosystem, special emphasis is being placed on connecting the youth with technology, innovation, skills, and markets.
The Chief Minister remarked that encouraging young entrepreneurs would not only lead to the establishment of new businesses but also create large-scale employment opportunities at the local level.
- AI training for 6 lakh students; over 50 AI-based services
Describing Artificial Intelligence as a crucial driver for Chhattisgarh’s future development, Chief Minister Shri Sai announced plans to provide AI training to 6 lakh students and 1.5 lakh government employees. Additionally, more than 50 AI-based government services will be developed to provide citizens with better and faster services.
He emphasized that the objective of AI goes beyond mere technological change; its true purpose is to enhance the quality of education, create future employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for the youth, and make government services more effective and citizen-centric.
- ₹500 crore AI Mission; AI Data Center Park in Naya Raipur
The Chief Minister stated that work is underway on a ₹500 crore State AI Mission in Chhattisgarh. Under this initiative, 100 AI data…A lab and five Centres of Excellence will be established, with a target to support over 300 AI startups.
An AI Data Center Park is being developed in Naya Raipur at a cost of approximately ₹1,000 crore. This will secure a significant position for Chhattisgarh in the country’s emerging digital and AI ecosystem and create next-generation employment opportunities for the youth.
- Bastar to Become a Key Pillar of Chhattisgarh’s New Economy
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that a transforming Bastar represents the most crucial chapter in Chhattisgarh’s development journey. Following rapid improvements in the security situation, new opportunities for development, investment, employment, and entrepreneurship are now emerging in Bastar.
He mentioned that a livelihood enhancement scheme worth ₹4,824 crore is being formulated to boost the income of approximately 10 lakh families across the state, including those in Bastar. In Bastar, 421 previously closed schools have been reopened. By integrating technology with healthcare services, digital health profiles have been created for over 34 lakh people.
The Chief Minister noted that the Jagdalpur-Raoghat rail project, valued at ₹3,513 crore, will prove to be a milestone in Bastar’s economic development. It will enhance industrial and commercial connectivity for the region and facilitate the transport of local products to larger markets.
- Tourism and Local Products in Bastar to Become Major Sources of Employment
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that Chhattisgarh’s natural beauty, tribal culture, and historical heritage hold immense tourism potential. Efforts are underway to integrate Bastar’s rich tribal culture—along with major tourist destinations like Chitrakot, Tirathgarh, Kanger Valley, and Sirpur—into the global tourism map.
Granting ‘industry’ status to tourism in the state will attract private investment and create new employment opportunities in sectors such as hotels, hospitality, transport, local handicrafts, and other related services.
The Chief Minister added that the state is promoting local-level processing and value addition for minor forest produce, medicinal plants, millets, and agricultural products found in forest regions, including Bastar. The goal is for Chhattisgarh to move beyond being merely a producer of raw materials; instead, finished goods should be manufactured locally, ensuring that the maximum economic value benefits the local population.
- Chhattisgarh’s Development to be Linked with Green Energy
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that Chhattisgarh is among the leading states in the country in terms of energy production. While maintaining its strong position in conventional energy, the state is now rapidly advancing towards a green energy transition.
A target has been set to develop an additional 4,000 megawatts of solar energy capacity in the state over the coming years. More than 90,000 households in the state have already been connected to solar power. Additionally, the state’s first floating solar plant has been established in Bhilai.
He noted that the expansion of green energy would not only meet the state’s energy needs but also serve as a crucial foundation for attracting new investments and creating green jobs.
- Focus on Value Addition Beyond Raw Materials
Chief Minister Shri Sai remarked that while Chhattisgarh is rich in natural resources, the state’s new economic policy aims not merely to exploit these resources but to maximize value addition within the state itself.
In line with this, infrastructure for electronics manufacturing is being developed in Naya Raipur and Rajnandgaon. The proposed space manufacturing cluster, a 142-acre pharma park, and textile and readymade garment parks in Rajnandgaon will provide fresh momentum to future industrial growth. The discovery of lithium in Korba has also opened up new possibilities in battery manufacturing, energy storage, and the new energy sector.
- Investment Process to Become Easier with the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ Act
The Chief Minister stated that the ‘Ease of Doing Business Act-2026’ has been implemented to make industrial processes simpler, transparent, and time-bound. A provision for automatic approval has been introduced for low-risk industries if a decision is not reached within the stipulated timeframe.
This initiative covers 43 services across eight departments and is expected to benefit approximately 1.5 million MSMEs in the state. The Chief Minister stated that the government aims to ensure investors do not face unnecessary delays regarding approvals and procedures, allowing them to focus on industry and job creation.
- From Resources to Innovation – The Investment Model of a New Chhattisgarh
Chief Minister Shri Sai presented Chhattisgarh to global investors as a state where natural resources, abundant energy, land, a skilled and youthful workforce, improving connectivity, modern infrastructure, and investment-friendly policies all converge.
He remarked that the next phase of Chhattisgarh’s development journey involves transitioning from a resource-based economy to one driven by knowledge, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Investment serves as the vehicle for this transformation, while the ultimate objective is to bring about positive change in the lives of the state’s youth by providing them with better opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and income.
Officials present on the occasion included the Chief Minister’s Advisor Shri R. Krishna Das, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretaries to the Chief Minister Shri P. Dayanand and Shri Rahul Bhagat, Special Secretary and Commissioner of Public Relations Shri Rajat Bansal, and Resident Commissioner Smt. Shruti Singh, among others.