Lucknow: A delegation from the Canadian Hindu Chambers of Commerce met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and expressed strong interest in investing in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in the MSME, religious tourism and hospitality sectors. The Chief Minister welcomed all 24 members of the delegation, led by Founder President Naresh Kumar Chawda, and assured them of full support from the state government.
During the interaction, CM Yogi emphasised the need to advance new initiatives in trade, technology and tourism in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. He invited the delegation to visit major religious and cultural centres of the state, including Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi and Prayagraj.
The Chief Minister highlighted that until a few years ago, festival markets were dominated by imported products, particularly from China. However, with the launch of the One District–One Product (ODOP) scheme in 2018, traditional industries were revived through design support, modern technology and marketing platforms. These products are now showcased at the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show held annually in September.
CM Yogi said that today Chinese products have largely disappeared from local markets, while over 9.6 million MSME units in the state are receiving government support. These enterprises provide livelihoods to nearly 25 million families. Under ODOP, products have been branded globally and are now being presented as official gifts at prominent national and international forums.
Informing the delegation about India’s economic progress, the Chief Minister said that the country has emerged as the world’s fourth-largest economy and the fastest-growing major economy. Uttar Pradesh ranks among the top three states in terms of economic contribution and has the largest population in the country.
He said Uttar Pradesh offers immense potential due to strong law and order, improved security and a favourable investment climate. At the Global Investors Summit held last year, investment proposals worth ₹40 lakh crore were received. Of these, projects worth ₹15 lakh crore have already seen ground-breaking ceremonies, while another ₹5 lakh crore worth of proposals are being prepared for implementation. Separate policies have been formulated for foreign direct investment and Fortune 500 companies, he added.
CM Yogi also underlined Uttar Pradesh’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage. He noted that the Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest spiritual gathering, was organised in the state last year and witnessed participation of over 660 million devotees. He further spoke about the state’s abundant water resources and fertile land.
On infrastructure, the Chief Minister said Uttar Pradesh accounts for nearly 55 per cent of the country’s expressway network. The state has the largest rail network, metro services in the highest number of cities, a rapid rail system and the country’s first operational inland waterway. Currently, 11 domestic and four international airports are operational, while Asia’s largest airport at Jewar is set to become functional soon.
He added that the state is emerging as a hub for new-age sectors, with projects such as a film city and apparel park in Noida, logistics hubs and data centres. Four data centres are operational, while six more are in the pipeline. Referring to the upcoming AI City in Lucknow, CM Yogi said Uttar Pradesh holds immense promise in advanced technologies. He also encouraged Canadian entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in exporting agricultural produce grown by farmers in the state.
The Chief Minister noted that key sites associated with Lord Buddha and Jain Tirthankars are located in Uttar Pradesh, offering vast potential for religious and cultural tourism. He said the Chambers could play a major role in promoting these destinations globally, adding that air and road connectivity to major pilgrimage sites is robust.
Expressing gratitude, Naresh Kumar Chawda said that while the ‘Invest India, Invest Canada’ programme is organised annually in Canada, it will be held three times in 2026, with two events focused exclusively on Uttar Pradesh. He said the Chambers would actively work in the state across MSMEs, religious tourism and hospitality sectors.
Chawda also informed that during July–August and December–January, children of the Indian diaspora born in Canada would be brought to Uttar Pradesh to visit major religious sites. Additionally, the Chambers plan to establish a 50-bed hospital and senior citizen homes in the state.
