Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann invited major Korean companies to invest in Punjab’s renewable energy, infrastructure, defense, food processing and startup sectors.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday extended an invitation to prominent Korean firms such as Daewoo E&C, GS Engineering & Construction (GS E&C), Nongshim, Korea Defense Industry Association (KDIA), Seoul Business Agency (SBA), and others to invest in the state.

During a meeting with Jung Won Joo, Chairman of Daewoo E&C, during his visit to South Korea, the Chief Minister advocated for collaboration in the areas of renewable energy initiatives, including offshore wind farms, solar power plants, and hydrogen production facilities. Likewise, he stated that there exists significant potential for collaboration in areas such as the development of energy infrastructure—including LNG terminals, petrochemical complexes, and fertilizer plants—urban development and smart city initiatives featuring integrated housing and advanced infrastructure solutions, as well as civil infrastructure projects encompassing roads, bridges, railways, ports, and airports. Bhagwant Singh Mann also emphasized the importance of enhancing collaboration in areas such as technology transfer for modular and prefabricated construction techniques to facilitate more rapid and cost-efficient building solutions.

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During a strategic meeting with Daewoo E&C, one of South Korea’s leading engineering and infrastructure firms, the Chief Minister emphasized Punjab’s robust industrial growth, ongoing infrastructure development projects, and the distinctive Unified Regulator framework implemented by Invest Punjab. He urged the Global Business Group to investigate opportunities in large-scale infrastructure projects, the adoption of advanced construction technologies, and the development of upcoming industrial townships within the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann also emphasized the importance of collaboration in ESG and green hydrogen initiatives through joint ventures aligned with international sustainability standards.

In a subsequent meeting with Young Ha Ryu (Daniel), Vice President of GS Engineering & Construction (GS E&C), the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of establishing collaborations in the sectors of Renewable Energy Projects (solar, wind, hydrogen), Infrastructure Development (roads, bridges, smart cities), as well as Industrial Complexes and EPC services. He also stated that there exists significant potential in critical sectors such as Technology Transfer for Modular Construction, Green Hydrogen, and Clean Energy Initiatives. Bhagwant Singh Mann pledged comprehensive support and collaboration in these vital sectors to foster the advancement of the state.

During a meeting with Nongshim Holdings, a prominent company in the Packaged Foods and Beverages sector, the Chief Minister advocated for the advancement of the food and food processing industries, emphasizing the importance of collaboratively developing new instant noodle varieties tailored to Indian preferences. Similarly, he advocated for the expansion of Nongshim’s presence in Indian supermarkets and e-commerce platforms, as well as collaboration on campaigns aimed at health-conscious and adolescent demographics. Bhagwant Singh Mann also promoted collaborations with local suppliers for sustainable packaging solutions and emphasized joint research on longevity foods and plant-based alternatives.

During discussions with Vice Chairman Lee Sung Kyu of the Korea Defense Industry Association (KDIA), the Chief Minister advocated for investigating avenues of collaboration in defense manufacturing and technology transfer to enhance industrial capabilities. He also advocated for collaboration in cybersecurity and cutting-edge defense technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and unmanned systems to promote knowledge exchange and cooperation. Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that Punjab and Korea could explore collaborative initiatives in skill development and training programs to strengthen workforce expertise in defense engineering and manufacturing.

During a meeting with Jong Woo Kim, Director of the Startup Division at Seoul Business Agency (SBA), the Chief Minister expressed that there exists significant potential for collaboration in the startup incubation and acceleration initiatives provided by SBA. He also addressed SBA’s global marketing and export support initiatives aimed at assisting Punjab-based companies in accessing international markets, emphasizing that knowledge exchange regarding innovation ecosystems and best practices for promoting entrepreneurship is an urgent necessity. Bhagwant Singh Mann also emphasized the importance of investigating collaboration in branding and certification initiatives such as the Seoul Awards to strengthen the credibility of products from Punjab enterprises.

Meanwhile, during the Roundtable meeting on the ease of doing business in Punjab, the Chief Minister engaged in discussions with prominent Korean firms including Bae, Kim & Lee LLC (BKL), Yulchon LLC, Buddtree Management Group, SK Securities, Kim & Chang, Shin & Kim, Lee & Ko, Dentons Lee, as well as organizations such as the Korea International Trade Organization (KITA), Korea Association of Robot Industry (KAR), Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), Korea Auto Parts Industry Cooperative (KAP), Yuanta Securities, Capstone Asset Management, NH Investment & Securities Co., Ltd, the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade (KIET), among others. During the meeting, he highlighted Punjab as the most desirable investment destination and informed them of the significant reforms implemented by the state government. Bhagwant Singh Mann also sought the opinions of prominent companies to further optimize this mechanism in order to promote industrial development.

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The Chief Minister also toured Pangyo Techno Valley, commonly referred to as the “Silicon Valley of Korea,” to examine one of Asia’s most sophisticated innovation ecosystems. Officials from the Gyeonggido Business & Science Accelerator (GBSA) provided the Chief Minister with an overview of Pangyo’s comprehensive model for fostering deep-tech innovation, entrepreneurs, and high-impact research. Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed his satisfaction upon learning that Pangyo, with more than 1,780 companies, 83,000 professionals, and 25,000 researchers, exemplifies a globally effective innovation district.

The Chief Minister acknowledged the efficacy of Pangyo’s well-organized accelerator programmes, specialized testbeds, and results-oriented evaluation systems. He stated that analogous strategies could be tailored for Mohali to enhance Punjab’s startup ecosystem, research and development capabilities, and the creation of high-skilled employment opportunities. Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasized that it is imperative to further accelerate the comprehensive development of Mohali.

The Chief Minister stated that through these comprehensive engagements, the Punjab government reaffirmed its dedication to attracting Korean companies, fostering innovation-driven industrial growth, and establishing enduring, mutually advantageous partnerships. He stated that there exists significant potential for collaboration across diverse sectors such as manufacturing, technology, food processing, and research. Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that the Seoul roadshow represents a significant milestone ahead of the Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2026, during which international investors will be invited to engage with Punjab’s swiftly growing economic and industrial prospects.