Advantage Vidarbha 2026: AID to Host “Khasdar Audyogik Mahotsav” in Nagpur from 6-8 February

Nagpur will host the third edition of Advantage Vidarbha – Khasdar Audyogik Mahotsav from 6 to 8 February 2026 at the Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University campus on Ambazari–Amravati Road. Organized by the Association for Industrial Development (AID) under the theme “Empowering Growth,” the three-day platform aims to fast-track Vidarbha’s rise as a high-potential industrial hub, with strong attention to resilient supply chains, innovation, and the energy transition.

Industrial expo: 350+ exhibits and a patent showcase

A large-scale exhibition will anchor the event, featuring more than 350 stalls, including 100 stalls from MSMEs and 40 district-level showcases representing Vidarbha’s diverse geographies. Defence Public Sector Units will participate alongside key market and financial infrastructure bodies such as SEBI, BSE, NSE, MCX, NCDEX, AMFI, MSE, NSDL, and CDSL—highlighting the growing convergence of industry, capital, and compliance in accelerating regional growth.

The exhibitor mix spans textiles, plastics, minerals, coal, aviation, logistics, IT, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, defence, real estate, renewable energy, and startups. A dedicated Patent Gallery will spotlight homegrown IP, signalling a push toward knowledge-led enterprise and commercialization.

Knowledge tracks, conclaves, and trade facilitation

Advantage Vidarbha 2026 will host a Business Conclave and a comprehensive series of technical sessions focused on emerging trends, risk management, and new market opportunities. More than 25 sessions are planned, with around 225 speakers and approximately 5,500 delegates expected to participate.

Over 20 bilateral trade meetings with international investors are scheduled to catalyze B2B and B2G engagements. Curated roundtables will unpack priorities central to India’s growth story and Vidarbha’s comparative advantages, including the Hydrogen Ecosystem, Minor Mineral Policy, the startup landscape, defence manufacturing, and the use of artificial intelligence to enable a more productive and inclusive economy.

Industry leaders and sector experts

The inaugural session will welcome prominent business leaders: Jeet Adani, Director (Airports), Adani Group; Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director & CEO (Auto and Farm Sectors), Mahindra & Mahindra Limited; and Deven Parulekar, Founder, SaffronStays.

Sessions dedicated to dairy and allied sectors will feature Dr. Ramaswamy N. (IAS), Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries; Dr. J. B. Prajapati, President, Indian Dairy Association; Pravin Bhandari, Founder, Amrutdhara Dairy; and Sikandar Mulani, CEO, Induja Milk. Business mentor Suresh Mansharamani will also address participants in a motivational segment focused on scaling enterprises.

Global participation and institutional support

For the first time, the Mahotsav is set to see significant international participation, with ambassadors and trade representatives expected from nearly 20 countries. Confirmations include delegations from Russia, China, Brazil, Egypt, Uruguay, Nigeria, Zambia, Venezuela, Togo, Guyana, and Benin, among others—creating a cross-border corridor for trade, technology transfer, and investment.

The event is supported by the Government of Maharashtra, the Ministry of MSME, and the District Industries Centre (DIC). Principal sponsors include Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited and the World Trade Center, Nagpur. Knowledge partners include Nagpur University and IIM Nagpur, with several regional industry and trade bodies contributing expertise. The Global India Business Forum (GIBF) is the global partner for the international business conclave, while Nagpur Metro, MIDC, NMRDA, NMC, Tata Strive, and the Nagpur Skill Centre are associate partners.

AID’s footprint in regional development

Over recent years, AID’s policy submissions on tourism, logistics, and Global Capability Centres (GCCs) have been adopted by the state, reflecting growing confidence in industry-led policy inputs. The organization has contributed to expediting upgrades at Nagpur airport, establishing the Nagpur Skill Centre, and proposing an independent steel cluster in Gadchiroli—moves aimed at building competitive value chains that can scale sustainably. AID has also supported the setup of CDSCO operations and an Intellectual Property Office in Nagpur, and it continues to build international trade and investment linkages to draw global capital and talent to Vidarbha.

What this means for a greener growth trajectory

With renewable energy, hydrogen, and advanced manufacturing on the agenda—and regulators, financiers, and innovators under one roof—the Mahotsav is positioned as a bridge between policy ambition and on-ground adoption. For Vidarbha, the combination of MSME participation, district-led showcases, defence and agri-dairy dialogues, and the Patent Gallery signals a broader pivot: toward a future where industrial scaling, resource efficiency, and local entrepreneurship move in step. If the announced sessions and bilateral meets translate into partnerships, the region could see faster diffusion of clean technologies, better market access for small manufacturers, and stronger foundations for circular, low-carbon growth.