Pune

Pune is the second-largest city in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and is an important city in terms of its economic and industrial growth. Once the centre of power for the Maratha Empire, Pune’s rich historical past has made it the cultural capital of Maharashtra. Home to many colleges and universities, Pune is considered a prestigious educational destination, winning itself the title of “The Oxford of the East”. Pune has emerged as a new startup hub in recent years with information technology (IT), engineering and automotive companies sprouting.

Pune has seen spectacular economic growth in recent years with the manufacturing, automobile and IT sectors emerging as key industries. Pune is ranked as the seventh-largest metropolitan economy with a strong industrial base and has the sixth-highest income per capita in India. The manufacturing, engineering and automobile sectors have seen significant foreign investments in recent years. The city is also a key hub for software and IT services. Pune’s large number of tertiary institutions and industrial training institutes have yielded a skilled labour force to support the city’s economic development.

The numerous automobile manufacturers and ancillary companies that have invested heavily in Pune include Tata Motors, and Cummins, a leading manufacturer of diesel and natural gas engines. This has been followed in recent years by Mercedes-Benz and the construction and farm-equipment company, JCB. The Automotive Research Institute of India, providing research, development, testing and certification services, is also located in Pune. With the objective of driving economic growth in the state, the Maharashtra government has played a key role in attracting investment and widening the scope of industry in Pune.