The Maharashtra Europe Business Forum (MEBF) was established with a clear vision – to create a strong, structured platform that connects Maharashtra with the vibrant Marathi diaspora in Europe and the wider European business ecosystem. With thousands of highly skilled Maharashtrian professionals, entrepreneurs, and academics spread across countries like Germany, France, the Netherlands, the UK, and beyond, this community plays a powerful role in bridging cultural understanding and economic opportunity between India and Europe.
The roots of MEBF can be traced to Marathi Katta Germany, a dynamic non-profit initiative that has, for years, united the Maharashtrian community in Germany through cultural, educational, and professional engagements. Under the leadership of Ajit Ranade, a respected community leader and social organizer, Marathi Katta has grown into a force that fosters identity, solidarity, and ambition among expatriate Maharashtrians. His passion for social development, youth engagement, and diaspora mobilization led to the conception of MEBF as a forward-looking platform with global economic goals.
Maharashtra, one of India’s most industrially advanced and investment-friendly states, offers immense potential in sectors like manufacturing, IT, energy, electronics, food processing, healthcare, and tourism. With a strong infrastructure, investor-friendly policies, and a history of leading India’s FDI inflows, it remains a top destination for European companies looking to enter or expand in the Indian market. MEBF aims to serve as a gateway, offering European stakeholders direct access to Maharashtra’s opportunities and regulatory ecosystem.
The role of the Maharashtrian diaspora in Europe is central to this mission. These professionals occupy key roles in multinational companies, research institutions, and startup ecosystems across Europe. Their insights, networks, and bicultural expertise uniquely position them to act as ambassadors and facilitators of Indo-European collaboration. MEBF empowers this community to go beyond cultural roots and actively contribute to Maharashtra’s global economic footprint.
MEBF was officially launched during the prestigious Maharashtra Business Day held in Frankfurt on June 7, 2025. The launch was jointly inaugurated by Hon’ble Shri Uday Samant, Cabinet Minister for Industries and Marathi Language, and Mr. B.S. Mubarak, Consul General of India in Frankfurt. The event marked a historic moment, with announcements like the setup of a Maharashtra Investment Desk in Frankfurt and a dedicated 500-acre industrial land reservation in Maharashtra for German businesses. These developments underscore MEBF’s mission — to act as a living bridge of investment, innovation, and inclusive growth between Maharashtra and Europe.