The Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IFCCI) hosted a new edition of the Indo-French Investment Conference in Bhopal, marking a major step toward strengthening regional economic partnerships and accelerating collaboration between French companies and the Government of Madhya Pradesh. The high-profile event brought together business leaders, diplomats and policymakers to unlock fresh investment opportunities across key sectors and reinforce the strategic partnership between India and France.
The conference was organised in association with the Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC) and supported by the Embassy of France in India. Nearly 150 senior delegates, including Chief Executive Officers, Chief Experience Officers, industry leaders, government officials and diplomats from both countries, participated in discussions aimed at expanding industrial cooperation and promoting long-term investment in the state.
A major highlight of the conference was a roundtable meeting hosted by the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav, at his residence. Welcoming the French delegation, Dr. Yadav stated that India and France share a strong and trusted strategic partnership that can be further strengthened through deeper collaboration in defence, technology, innovation and skill development.
He underscored Madhya Pradesh's vast potential for global investors, citing the state's central geographical location, robust connectivity, industrial peace, skilled workforce and transparent, industry-friendly governance. The Chief Minister reiterated the state government's commitment to creating a conducive environment for sustainable industrial growth and enduring international partnerships.
The conference resulted in the presentation of seven Expressions of Interest and two Memorandums of Understanding between leading French companies and the Government of Madhya Pradesh across multiple strategic sectors.
POMA Ropeways proposed the development and operation of ropeway and cable mobility systems to support urban transportation, tourism and pilgrimage connectivity. AIVancity, in partnership with Medicaps University, presented plans to establish a higher education institution focused on technology, innovation and applied sciences. Dassault Systèmes proposed the deployment of virtual twin technologies in industrial development, urban planning, water management and skill development.
Soufflet outlined a contract farming ecosystem for malting-grade barley, including farmer training and storage infrastructure. SYSTRA explored collaboration in transport infrastructure, mobility planning and engineering initiatives. ENGIE expressed interest in renewable energy, energy storage, green industrial energy solutions and green hydrogen projects. Tesca Textiles proposed establishing a manufacturing facility for advanced textiles and automotive seat components in the state.
A significant public health initiative was also announced as Sanofi signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Health Mission, Madhya Pradesh. The agreement focuses on capacity building and strengthening the public health system in the areas of diabetes and rare diseases through knowledge sharing, training and healthcare support initiatives.
In addition, IFCCI and MPIDC signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance institutional collaboration and facilitate greater Indo-French business engagement in Madhya Pradesh.
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Chetanya Kasyap, Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of Madhya Pradesh, and Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India.
The event began with a detailed presentation titled "Doing Business in Madhya Pradesh: Policy, Incentives and Ease of Access" by Raghwendra Singh, Principal Secretary of the Department of Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, Government of Madhya Pradesh. The presentation highlighted the state's investor-friendly policies and strategic advantages.
Throughout the day, discussions focused on facilitating investment, strengthening ease of doing business and building partnerships across sectors such as energy, infrastructure, defence, communications, information technology and information technology-enabled services, food and agribusiness, logistics and supply chain management.
Addressing the gathering, Chetanya Kasyap said he was confident that stronger collaboration between France and Madhya Pradesh would generate new opportunities for industrial growth, innovation and shared economic prosperity.
French Ambassador Thierry Mathou said he was pleased that both large and small French companies were expanding their presence in Madhya Pradesh, a state recording sustainable growth of 8 percent and contributing nearly 5 percent of India's gross domestic product. He added that the Indo-French Innovation Network, a flagship initiative of the India-France Year of Innovation, would encourage additional French investment and help companies from France and Madhya Pradesh work together to double the state's gross domestic product before 2030.
One of the central attractions of the conference was a panel discussion titled "Unlocking Madhya Pradesh: Policy, Partnerships and Pathways for Sustainable Investment." The session examined how policy support, infrastructure readiness and international collaboration can position the state as a leading centre for Indo-French innovation and business expansion.
The panel featured senior representatives from Soufflet Malt, Sanofi, EDF Nuclear Projects and Dassault Systèmes. The discussion was moderated by Axelle Blanchard, Deputy Head of the French Regional Economic Department for India and South Asia at the Embassy of France in New Delhi.
Payal S. Kanwar, Director General of IFCCI, said the chamber was proud to bring its first investment conclave to Madhya Pradesh, describing the state as an emerging growth hub with immense potential for French investment. She stated that the initiative aims to strengthen Indo-French relations by creating new opportunities in trade, innovation and sustainable development.
Senior state government officials participating in the conference included Anurag Jain, Chief Secretary; Neeraj Mandloi, Additional Chief Secretary; Manu Srivastava, Additional Secretary of the New and Renewable Energy Sources Department; Raghwendra Singh, Principal Secretary of the Department of Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion; and Chandramauli Shukla, Managing Director of MPIDC.
Another major component of the conference was a series of business-to-government and business-to-business meetings held on the sidelines, enabling focused discussions and paving the way for future collaborations.
To promote bilateral trade and expand French investment across India, IFCCI has been actively organising investment conclaves in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Assam. The Bhopal conference marks another milestone in IFCCI's ongoing efforts to deepen state-level cooperation, foster innovation-led growth and generate long-term economic value through Indo-French partnerships.
Established in 1977, the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry is part of the global network of 124 French Chambers of Commerce and Industry operating across 94 countries and representing more than 37,000 companies. One of India's most active bilateral chambers, IFCCI promotes trade and investment between India and France through a network of 800 member companies and more than 6,500 business leaders. Headquartered in Mumbai, the chamber also maintains offices in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune and Hyderabad.
The Indo-French Investment Conference in Bhopal has emerged as a landmark platform for strategic cooperation, demonstrating how policy support, industrial readiness and international partnerships can transform Madhya Pradesh into a major destination for French investment and sustainable economic growth well beyond 2030.
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