MOHALI-The Progressive Punjab Investors Summit 2026 began on a strong note in Mohali on Friday, with investment commitments worth over ₹10, 000 crore on the opening day and major industry leaders announcing expansion plans in the state. Addressing investors and industry leaders, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said the Punjab government would provide every facility needed for industries to compete with China, asserting that a business-friendly environment had already helped attract ₹1.50 lakh crore in investments in four years.
Addressing the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit, Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “In a major boost to the industrial development of the state, the Punjab government has roped in leading industries to invest in Punjab. It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that on the very first day of the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit 2026, the state has secured investments worth more than ₹10, 000 crore. Major industry leaders such as HMEL, Tata Steel, JSW, Trident Group, Hero Industries and several others have announced plans to expand and set up their ventures in the state.”
Highlighting the global identity of Punjabis, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjabis are a martial community, courageous and enterprising, and they have excelled in every field across the world. Whenever any tragedy strikes anywhere in the world, Punjabi ‘langar’ is often the first to reach those in need, following the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji of service and humanity. Punjab is also blessed with rich culture, fertile land and strong unity. Everything can grow on the fertile land of Punjab, but the seed of hatred can never take root here. Following the message of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the great Sikh Gurus, every Punjabi prays for the well being and progress of all. Since 2022, when our government assumed office, Punjab has witnessed remarkable progress across sectors such as power, health, real estate, infrastructure and education.”
Speaking about the future vision, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann shared that ghe state government has chosen a path that will make the future of Punjab bright by accelerating economic growth. I have seen that the young generation of Punjab wants to achieve something big in life. They are natural leaders who cannot live in isolation. I firmly believe that God has given me this opportunity to lead Punjab so that we can bring meaningful change in the lives of our people.”
Highlighting innovation and technology, he continued, “Punjab is now at the threshold of transitioning toward a new culture of innovation and technology driven enterprise. The youth of the state are coming up with new ideas and innovations and it is our responsibility to support them. We are leaving no stone unturned for this noble cause. World class infrastructure, excellent connectivity, premier educational institutions and supportive government policies together make Punjab one of the most preferred investment destinations globally.”
Thanking industry leaders, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “I thank all the business leaders for becoming part of Punjab’s growth story. Our government is committed to transforming Punjab into a major industrial and export hub in the world. Punjab is among the top performing states in the Ease of Doing Business ranking conducted by the Government of India. Invest Punjab, the unified regulator of the Government of Punjab, has been recognised by the Government of India as one of the top performing investment promotion agencies.”
Explaining the governance approach, he added, “Our government seeks holistic economic and financial success for Punjab. I firmly believe that the pillars of our growth are good governance, digitisation, decisiveness, transparency and sensitivity. Combined with Punjab’s rich heritage and culture, these factors create a conducive environment for investors from across the globe to grow exponentially here. Punjab plays a crucial role in strengthening global value chains and supply chains through its manufacturing and infrastructure capabilities. I welcome all captains of industry to invest in Punjab, invest in the best. The world is going through challenging times, but we must recognise that each of us has the ability to contribute positively and that is the objective of this summit.”
Concluding his remarks, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The future is a shared responsibility for all of us. Punjab is perhaps the only place in the world whose people have a presence across the globe because Punjabis excel wherever they go. Punjabis possess an indomitable spirit to work hard and succeed. Wherever they go they make a mark. Punjab means business and I invite industry leaders to join hands with the government to build a prosperous future together.”
Meanwhile, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal stated, “Punjab is the land of gurus and pir paigambars who gave such messages that for centuries have inspired not only Punjab, not only the country, but the entire world. Punjab is the land of hardworking people. Whenever the country faced a crisis of food, the hardworking farmers of Punjab ensured that the nation received food through their labour and filled the stomachs of the country.”
He said, “Punjab is also the land of patriots. In the freedom struggle, Punjabis made the highest sacrifices, and even today you will find the largest number of Punjabis serving in our armed forces. Punjab is also the land of entrepreneurs and businessmen. Entrepreneurship runs in the blood here. There is a joke that if one day humans begin living on the moon, the first establishment there will be a ‘Punjabi dhaba’.”
Arvind Kejriwal said that our country is a great nation and a very ancient civilisation. God has given everything to this country. When God created the earth, the most prosperous and beautiful land he created was ‘Bharatvarsh’. We have mountains, rivers, medicinal herbs, minerals, iron, coal and countless other resources. God did not leave anything out while giving us these gifts. When God created human beings, he created the most intelligent people in India. Wherever we go in the world, we excel. If you look at global CEOs around the world, you will see that many of them are Indians. The CEOs of Microsoft, Alphabet, IBM, Adobe, Chanel, Novartis, and Palo Alto are of Indian origins.”
“But I feel extremely sad when we import toys from China. We import plastic buckets, stationery, even the plastic containers in which we keep spices in our kitchens are imported from China. We import LED bulbs, decorative lights, electric kettles, wires, mobile phone chargers, alarm clocks, plastic toys and battery operated toys. Even the Lakshmi and Ganesh idols that we worship during Diwali are imported. The list is very long, including even things like Kumbhkaran, Ravan and Meghnath idols. Can we not make these ourselves? Someone told me that Chinese products are cheaper, but why can we not produce cheaper products ourselves? Give Punjabis the opportunity and they will manufacture products cheaper than China and even export to them, ” he asserted.
The AAP Chief shared that in the last 75 years the governments of our country have not trusted the talent of our people. But our systems have been so weak that they do not allow anyone to do anything. We must be given opportunities. India must become number one and that we must defeat China. That should be our target. There was a film called Tezaab starring Madhuri Dixit and Anil Kapoor. It had a song that said defeating ordinary opponents means nothing, defeat Dara Singh if you really want to prove yourself. Tell us what you need to defeat China and we will provide it to you in Punjab. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, the entire Punjab government and I stand with you.
He added, “My blood boils when I see that even after 75 years of independence we import plastic buckets and phone chargers from China. We cannot make our own Lakshmi and Ganesh idols. This is a matter of patriotism. You must do this for the country. Tell us what you need and start exporting to China. Whatever environment you require, we will provide it. This is not a hollow promise. You have already seen that the guarantees given by Arvind Kejriwal before the last elections have been fulfilled. I am giving this guarantee to all industries. If you guide us and tell us what you need, we will provide everything required.”
“The AAP leadership, especially CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, is known to be a very popular people’s leader. He stays among the people and you can meet him anytime, even at midnight or two in the morning. I do not think you will find such a Chief Minister again. Minister Sanjeev Arora has truly won the hearts of the industry. Yesterday an industrialist came to me and said that no one knows when he even sleeps. When we organised meetings with industries across different places earlier, we used to hear many negative things from industrialists and traders. People complained about the difficulties they faced and the number of rounds they had to make to government offices. There was a lot of negativity in the environment. But last night during the dinner with industrialists where CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and I were present, the atmosphere was extremely positive. Many people said that they had never seen a government so positive towards industry, ” he shared.
Acknowledging the progress made, Arvind Kejriwal said, “In the journey of any state or country, three or four years is a very small period. But if in four years we have managed to change the direction of the wind and bring new energy and positivity about Punjab, then I believe this is a major achievement of the Punjab government.”