IN Diplomacy Editor-in-Chief Nomita Dhar interviewed Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai on Singapore ties.
In an exclusive interview with IN Diplomacy Editor-in-Chief Ms Nomita Dhar, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai outlined plans for a Chhattisgarh-Singapore Special Corridor and discussed the state’s investment priorities, investor facilitation measures and areas for deeper cooperation with Singapore. The interview covered ₹43,250 crore in foreign direct investment commitments from Singapore-based companies, with Chhattisgarh seeking to move these projects towards implementation and develop longer-term economic ties.
What is the vision for the new Chhattisgarh-Singapore Special Corridor and how will it work?
I see the Chhattisgarh–Singapore partnership as a two-way bridge. Singapore brings world-class expertise, technology and a global network. Chhattisgarh brings the energy of a young, fast-rising State, driven to build the industries of the future. The partnership will work by matching these strengths project by project. The ₹43,250 crore of FDI commitments secured during this visit is the first proof that this model works. Our goal is to move from individual investments to a lasting ecosystem, where every Singapore company that succeeds in Chhattisgarh brings the next one with it.
Which sectors are prioritised under the corridor?
We are focusing on sectors where Singapore’s strengths meet Chhattisgarh’s advantages: data centres and digital infrastructure, electronics and semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, food processing and advanced manufacturing. These are also priority sectors under our Industrial Development Policy 2024–30. For each of them, we offer customised incentives along with ready infrastructure, skilled manpower and abundant resources. With 44% of the State under forest cover, we also see great potential in tourism and in green urban development, where Singapore’s experience can be invaluable.
What specific facilitation will Singapore investors get – land, incentives, single-window?
We follow a very hands-on approach to facilitating investors, with a focus on speed and ease at every step. Subsidies are released within 28 days of application, and land is allotted within 45 days. Our One-Click Single Window brings around 200 services from different departments onto one platform, so investors don’t lose time on administrative hassles. Every investor also gets a dedicated single point of contact, who stays with them from the first meeting to the start of operations.
What is the timeline for the corridor and first investments?
The first investments have already begun. Singapore-based companies have committed ₹43,250 crore of FDI to Chhattisgarh. Our priority now is to move these projects from commitment to ground-breaking as quickly as possible, and we will support the investors throughout.
Will there be a dedicated Singapore industrial cluster in Chhattisgarh?
We are open to it, and we would welcome it as more Singapore companies come in. A dedicated cluster makes sense once there is a critical mass of investors. We have ready industrial land and the infrastructure to support such a cluster. If there is interest from Singapore’s business community, we would be happy to design a dedicated cluster together with them, to suit their needs.
What is being done to establish direct air connectivity between Singapore and Raipur?
As investment and travel between Singapore and Chhattisgarh grow, a direct link will become a natural next step, and we will take it up with the Ministry of Civil Aviation on priority. In the meantime, Raipur is just a 90-minute flight from major international hubs. That is less time than many people spend stuck in traffic in big cities, even when those cities have direct international flights.
When will Raipur airport get full international and cargo status?
Strengthening Raipur airport’s connectivity is a priority for us. Chhattisgarh already has an EXIM-ready Multi-Modal Logistics Park, rail-linked to ports and with on-site customs clearance, so industries can move goods to global markets with ease. As industrial and investment activity grows, so will the case for expanded international and cargo operations at Raipur.
What aspect of Singapore’s development model would you like to replicate in Chhattisgarh?
Singapore has shown the world what clear vision, long-term planning and strong governance can achieve. What I admire most is its efficient institutions and its constant investment in its people, the qualities that turned its vision into reality. Chhattisgarh has abundant resources and a young, ambitious population. If we bring Singapore’s discipline in planning, skilling and execution to these strengths, I believe there is no limit to what we can achieve together.
In which areas do you want Chhattisgarh and Singapore to collaborate most?
Beyond investment, I see three areas where Chhattisgarh and Singapore can do great things together. The first is skill development: Singapore’s experience in training a world-class workforce can help prepare our youth for tomorrow’s jobs. The second is urban planning and water management, where Singapore is a global benchmark. The third is tourism: with Chhattisgarh’s forests, waterfalls and rich tribal culture, there is great potential to bring Singapore’s expertise in tourism and hospitality to our State.
Can Singapore be Chhattisgarh’s gateway to ASEAN and Chhattisgarh be Singapore’s manufacturing base for India?
Absolutely. Chhattisgarh has everything a Singapore manufacturer needs, from raw materials to land, infrastructure and logistics. We have no labour unrest and a reliable, uninterrupted power supply, so your factories run without downtime. Singapore, in turn, is ASEAN’s leading hub for trade, finance and logistics, with one of the world’s busiest ports and a strong network of trade agreements. A company manufacturing in Chhattisgarh can serve the whole Indian market and reach ASEAN through Singapore. It is a natural partnership.
What do you want to achieve in Singapore-Chhattisgarh relations in next 3 years?
I want every Singapore business that starts in Chhattisgarh to be profitable, and its people to enjoy working and living in our State. I want their experiences to become success stories that inspire many more Singapore companies to follow. Most importantly, I want Chhattisgarh and Singapore to become true partners in progress, building a more prosperous and sustainable future for our people and for the world.
What is your message to Singapore businesses considering Chhattisgarh for the first time?
Please visit Chhattisgarh and see it for yourself. We believe in less talk and more work. Our government works tirelessly to make your journey easy, simplify processes and stand with you at every step. Nothing gives us greater satisfaction than seeing an industry grow from start to scale, and seeing the youth of our State find rewarding careers through it. Chhattisgarh is ready, and we will welcome you with a red carpet.
