The Sweden India Business Council said on Sunday that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Maharashtra government to collaborate on waste-to-energy, sustainable infrastructure and transportation, defence manufacturing, and investment. The agreement was signed in the presence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday evening.

"Maharashtra is the 'Second Home' to Swedish companies and 'Power House' of India. The relation between Maharashtra and Sweden is now 100 years old and we pledge to make it stronger ahead. Looking forward to work together in innovation, manufacturing, technology, solar energy, green and clean energies," Fadnavis tweeted after signing of the MoU.

Sweden India Business Council (SIBC) and Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation signed the agreement (MIDC).

"Swedish industry will continue to expand and invest in Maharashtra. This MoU intends to support the two parties to reach a deeper collaboration for a more sustainable future and further job creation and technology cooperation," SIBC, Member of Board, Prashant Agarwal said in the statement.

As with the Sweden-India Business Council, the two parties have agreed to collaborate to explore and facilitate funding opportunities.

"Maharashtra has historically been an important region for Sweden, right from the 1960s, when large Swedish companies set up operations in Pune. I am delighted that we are deepening the ties in many ways and welcome the new collaboration between Maharashtra government and Sweden-India Business Council," Consul General of Sweden in Mumbai, Anna Lekvall said.