UP to develop Singapore, Japan investment zones

Uttar Pradesh will develop exclusive investment zones in Greater Noida for big Singapore and Japan companies.

The state government is planning to acquire almost 1,000 acres of industrial land for big ticket investors from the two developed Asian economies.

The land acquisition would be done by the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) near the upcoming Noida International Airport (NIA).

YEIDA has proposed to develop two dedicated investment enclaves titled 'Singapore City' and 'Japan City' across 500 acres each in Gautam Buddha Nagar district.

Each enclave will cater to investors from their respective countries in an array of industries and domains.

Earlier, YEIDA sent a formal proposal to the Uttar Pradesh government for the development of the two exlusive cities.

Last month, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath led a high-level delegation to these Asian economic giants on a four-day official tour.

He spent two days each in Singapore and Japan, holding investor roadshows and confabulating with leading investors and industrial groups.

His tour fetched investment proposals to the tune of Rs 2.5 trillion from Singapore and Japan.

Moreover, Memorandum of understanding (MoUs) totalling Rs 1.5 trillion were also signed in the two countries, which is expected to boost UP's target to become India's first $1 trillion economy by 2030.

Key investment sectors spanned agricultural machinery, automobiles, semiconductors, data centers, green hydrogen, power-to-gas, compressed biogas, ESDM, logistics and warehousing.

In Japan, UP signed MoUs with Kubota Corporation, Spark Minda (in collaboration with Toyo Denso), Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Nagase & Co etc.

The UP government held meetings with Suzuki Motor Corporation, Honda, Konoike Transport Co, Mitsui & Co, Rapidus Corporation, Marubeni Corporation, Sumitomo Realty & Development Co, MUFG Bank etc.

To promote green energy, a Green Hydrogen Centre of Excellence (CoE) will be set up in UP in collaboration with the University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi Hydrogen Company, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU) and IIT BHU.

The 'Japan Desk' at 'Invest UP' will be strengthened, with direct monitoring by the UP Chief Minister’s Office.

Japan will support technology transfer, skill development, joint ventures and supply-chain integration in UP’s MSME sector.

By linking the globally significant Buddhist Circuit and Ramayana Circuit in UP, the spiritual, cultural and heritage tourism will be promoted.

Meanwhile, Yogi's Singapore visit resulted in pacts for cooperation in MRO, cargo hubs, semiconductors, data centers, logistics, skilling and fintech.

UP targets pulses crop area of 3 million hectares

Pursuing a farm strategy to augment production of cash crops, the Uttar Pradesh government is targetting to increase the pulses crop area by 20 percent to more than 3 million tonnes (MT).

Against the pulses’ acreage of 2.56 MT in 2024-25, the state is looking at an acreage of almost 3.1 MT in 2025-26.

The average productivity of pulses in Uttar Pradesh is more than 12 quintals (100 kg) per hectare, which is significantly higher than the national average of 9.26 quintals per hectare.

Uttar Pradesh is among the top pulses producers in India. It ranked 4th in 2024–25 with a production of 3.08 million tonnes (MT), which is roughly 12 percent of the country's aggregate pulses production of 25.68 MT.

India is among the world's largest producers and consumers of pulses, yet it imports 15 to 20 percent of its annual demand to overcome production shortfall.

In the financial year 2024-25, imports jumped to over 7 MT, primarily from Canada, Russia, Australia, Myanmar, Africa etc.

Meanwhile, the Yogi Adityanath government has accorded emphasis to the distribution of high-quality seeds under the Pulses Self-Reliance Mission.

In 2025–26, more than 105,000 quintals of certified seeds were distributed under different schemes.

Under the free seed minikit scheme, about 30,000 quintals of quality seeds were distributed in UP, which benefitted almost 300,000 farmers.

During the Rabi season of 2025-26, a special programme is being implemented to cultivate lentils over 40,000 hectares; and urad and moong over 1,00,000 hectares during the Zaid season.

India also imports more than 50 percent of its edible oil consumption.

As such, agri experts have suggested increasing the domestic production and productivity of oilseeds and pulses for self-reliance.

UP produces roughly 21 percent of the total food grains; 10.8 percent fruits; and 15.4 percent of the vegetables in India. The agricultural sector contributes over 25 percent to the Uttar Pradesh Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

Uttar Pradesh bullish on foreign investment

Uttar Pradesh is bullish on its potential as an investment destination not only for domestic but also global investors.

With its sight firmly on the $1 trillion economy goal, the Yogi Adityanath government has amended several industry related laws to improve its ease of doing business ecosystem.

In a clear indication of such changes beginning to deliver the goods, Uttar Pradesh has netted investment proposals of about Rs 20,300 crore worth of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Foreign Capital Investment (FCI).

The investment proposals came under the ‘Uttar Pradesh FDI/FCI, Fortune Global 500, and Fortune India 500 Company Investment Promotion Policy 2023’.

Of the 21 FDI/FCI proposals totalling Rs 20,300 crore, proposals of Rs 12,500 crore have been approved and issued with the Letter of Comfort (LoC) by the Yogi government.

The remaining lot of proposals worth Rs 7,800 crore are pending for approval by 'Invest UP' - the nodal agency for facilitating investments.

LoC is the state government's undertaking/guarantee to investors regarding incentives upon fulfilling investment conditions.

Meanwhile, under the UP Industrial Investment and Employment Promotion Policy 2022, 85 proposals worth Rs 1.11 trillion have been approved, while 30 proposals worth Rs 1.10 trillion are in the pipeline.

Women leading startup bandwagon in Uttar Pradesh

Underlining equity in the business ecosystem, women-led startups have jumped 30 percent to nearly 9,600 in Uttar Pradesh.

From roughly 6,812 startups promoted by women a year back, the number of similar startups has now breached the 9,600 mark, indicating their march towards entrepreneurship.

At present, Uttar Pradesh is home to 19,000 startups recognised by the Central Government’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Thus, women-led startups today account for more than 50 percent of UP's current startup tally.

The Yogi Adityanath government has already constituted a Rs 1,000 crore 'UP Startup Fund' to convert ideas into business ventures by providing financial support at both the early and expansion stages.

So far, Rs 325 crore has been approved from this Fund for assistance to startups, which has fortified the state's startup ecosystem.

Meanwhile, the state's 'Start in UP' scheme is also emerging as a strong foundation for new entrepreneurs. Under this roadmap, more than 3,000 startups have been recognised.

Of these, over 900 startups are run by women leaders, thus marking a significant step toward women entrepreneurship.

Moreover, 2,100 startups have received incubation support, providing them with technical guidance, mentorship, and business support.

Since, new startups need capital and market access in the early stages, the Yogi government is offering seed capital and marketing assistance, benefitting 376 ventures with a financial support to the tune of Rs 26.43 crore.

Similarly, the state has benefitted 74 applicants with approval of Rs 3.55 crore for prototype development, which is a crucial stage in turning an idea into a successful business.

Currently, 76 recognised incubators are functioning in UP, providing technical, managerial, and strategic support to startups.

These incubators have received assistance of Rs 14.80 crore to foster the state's image as an amenable startup hub.

To handhold startups, UP has also implemented livelihood allowance and incentive schemes.

Under these, 115 livelihood allowance applications have been approved and sanctioned Rs 2.46 crore, which has reduced the initial risk for startups.

Noida, Lucknow, Ghaziabad and Kanpur are among the top cities in terms of the registered startups.

Some of the leading startups and unicorns incorporated in UP include Pine Labs, Spice Money, Paytm Payments Bank, Advisorymandi, OneCode, Wishfin, GramCover, Marquee Equity, Buddy4Study etc, IndiaMart, Info Edge, PhysicsWallah etc.

UP logs investment proposals of Rs 2.92 trillion at Davos

Expanding its wings for global investments, Uttar Pradesh has logged investment proposals to the tune of Rs 2.92 trillion at the 56th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 during January 19–23 at Davos in Switzerland.

Led by UP finance minister Suresh Khanna, the state inked 31 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across key sectors viz. data centers, renewable energy, waste-to-energy, manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI).

These partnerships align with UP’s vision of becoming a $1 trillion economy, Khanna told newspersons recently after arriving in Lucknow from Davos.

Discussions were held with global tech firms including Google, Uber, HCLTech, Tech Mahindra, Cisco, Deloitte, Google Cloud, Automation Anywhere, and SA Technologies.

“The focus areas covered Global Capability Centers (GCCs), AI, data centers, digital governance, skill development, and mobility solutions,” he added.

An MoU with AM Green Group pertained to the establishment of a 1 GW AI-focused data centre in Greater Noida, with a proposed investment kitty of nearly Rs 2.10 trillion by 2028.

Ride hailing service Uber evinced interest in expanding mobility partnerships, and in establishing a potential GCC in Noida.

Rashmi Metallurgical committed an investment of Rs 4,000 crore for a 1 MTPA integrated steel plant.

AB InBev, Godrej, Philip Morris International, Kübler Group, Schneider Electric etc discussed manufacturing, smart factories, Industry 4.0, supply chains etc.

Moreover, discussions were held with Grundfos, Ramky Group, and Schneider Electric on partnerships in water management, irrigation, solar pump solutions, sewage and waste management, microgrids, and smart villages.

Grundfos is exploring for the solarization of 50,000–60,000 pumps annually in Uttar Pradesh, and proposed pilot projects in Lucknow, Noida, and Varanasi.

Bayer Consumer Health and Agilent Technologies explored opportunities in agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, research and development and life sciences.

Besides, engagements with BlackRock, Deloitte, Marsh McLennan, Adecco, and Wealthdoor focused on long-term capital investment, FDI/FPI, institutional capacity building, risk management, skill development, and global talent.

Adecco is keen to establish a centre in Lucknow to leverage Uttar Pradesh’s progressive services sector and employment ecosystem.

Khanna said the Yogi Adityanath government showcased UP’s development and investment potential through participation for the third consecutive year at the WEF.

“This participation reaffirmed the state’s commitment to accelerating economic transformation and positioning UP as a globally competitive investment hub,” he underscored.

Now, Invest UP will strengthen policy support, infrastructure, skilled human resources, regulatory facilitation, and inter-departmental coordination to translate investment intentions into outcomes.

UP invites entries for Best Tourism Village

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Tourism has announced the State Tourism Awards aimed at recognising villages, rural homestays and farm stays that are strengthening tourism through culture, community participation and responsible practices.

The awards invite entries under three categories viz. Best Tourism Village 2026, Best Homestay (Rural) and Best Farm Stay. Winners will be honoured in Gold, Silver and Bronze categories.

The initiative is designed from a people centric perspective, encouraging villages, families, farmers and rural hosts to step forward and showcase their work in creating authentic tourism experiences rooted in local culture, crafts, cuisine, agriculture and nature.

All eligible stakeholders can apply, including those who are not currently registered with Uttar Pradesh Tourism.

Speaking on the initiative, UP Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said Uttar Pradesh is steadily emerging as a national model for agri and rural tourism.

"We have already registered over 800 'rural' homestays with the Tourism Department, and our effort is now to bring many more villages, families and farm stay operators into this ecosystem," he added.

Regions such as Gorakhpur, Awadh and Braj are witnessing strong growth in rural tourism experiences, with visitors coming not only from across India but also from countries like Sri Lanka, Spain and Germany.

"Through these awards, we want to recognise those who are preserving local culture, creating livelihoods and offering meaningful hospitality,” he added.

Tourism is no longer about sightseeing, it is about soul seeing. Rural tourism is India’s ‘soft power’.

The Yogi Adityanath government aims to to connect travellers with rural life so their visit goes beyond a day or two at monuments and becomes a longer pause rooted in culture and simplicity.

Under the Best Tourism Village 2026 category, villages will be assessed on tourism assets such as heritage, nature, culture, festivals and unique experiences, along with community participation, sustainability measures, visitor facilities and overall readiness to host tourists.

The Best Homestay (Rural) category focuses on authentic rural living experiences, guest comfort, transparency of operations and actual tourist stays, while the Best Farm Stay category recognises farm based experiences that integrate agriculture, local produce, nature and professionally managed rural hospitality.

Applications are to be submitted online through category wise registration forms, and stakeholders can also apply by scanning the QR codes shared on official website of Uttar Pradesh Tourism. 

The last date for registration and submission is 20 January 2026.

Ashok Leyland's electric bus plant inaugurated in Lucknow

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

Hinduja Group's flagship company Ashok Leyland has commissioned its integrated electric bus manufacturing plant on the outskirts of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.

The greenfield unit was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Heavy Industries minister D H Kumaraswamy on Friday (January 9).

On the occasion, Adityanath said the plant is a key milestone in the state's industrial development journey and commitment towards environment conservation.

"Today, Uttar Pradesh is not merely a state of 'unlimited potential' but a state converting potential into actual achievements," he said, adding that UP now tops the 'Industry First' and 'Investor First' matrices.

The CM noted that UP does not suffer from the erstwhile policy paralysis of the previous governments, but contributes to India's industrial growth story.

"UP accounts for 9.5 percent to India's GDP and the state's economy is expected to touch Rs 36 trillion by the end of the current financial year," he claimed.

Adityanath alleged while investors were fleeing the state during the earlier regimes, UP had logged investment proposals to the tune of Rs 45 trillion of which projects worth Rs 15 trillion had been launched in the groundbreaking ceremonies.

"Now, we are ready to launch projects worth Rs 6 trillion next month, while another basket of projects totalling Rs 5 trillion are in the pipeline," he added.

He maintained that UP had become a preferred destination for domestic and global investors, and the Ashok Leyland plant would further catalyse its investment ecosystem.

Ashok Leyland has committed to invest Rs 1,000 crore in the Lucknow plant, which has an initial capacity to produce 2,500 vehicles per annum. It would be ramped up to 5,000 vehicles per year in the next phase depending upon the market demand.

On September 15, 2023, an memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Ashok Leyland and the Uttar Pradesh government for the setting up of the Lucknow plant.

Therefore, the new plant has been commissioned in less than 16 months since the signing of the MoU.

The company has already announced plans to convert its entire fleet of diesel buses and commercial vehicles into electric and other alternative fuels in the coming years.

Interestingly, UP is among India's leading electric vehicles (EVs) market even as the UP State Roadways Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) is keen to convert its fleet of nearly 12,000 buses to EVs in the coming years.

In his address, Rajnath Singh observed that the Ashok Leyland plant would bolster UP's economic and industrial development roadmap and provide mass employment opportunities.

UP is also emerging as a major defence industry hub with the UP Defence Corridor spread over 6 nodes including Lucknow, he added.

He said UP, which was once considered to be a BIMARU state, has emerged as a preferred investment destination owing to the proactive policies of the Yogi government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision.

"The path to a developed India passes through a developed Uttar Pradesh," Rajnath Singh underlined.