Located in the western region of India, Maharashtra is the third-largest state in India in terms of area and the second-largest in terms of population. Maharashtra stretches over 307,690 sq km with a total estimated population of 109.7 million as of March 2009. The state shares borders with Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The Arabian Sea makes up the state's western coast. The state capital, Mumbai, is the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the world and India‘s largest and most populous city.

Food products, tobacco and related products, cotton textiles, other textile products, paper and paper products, printing and publishing, rubber, plastic, chemical and chemical products, machinery, transport equipments, financial services, autoancillaries, electrical and non electrical machinery, petroleum and allied products, wine, jewellery, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, media and entertainment contribute substantially to the income of Maharashtra.

The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at current prices for 2007-08 is estimated at Rs. 5, 90,995 crore and contributes about 13 per cent of the National Income and around 20 per cent to the country's gross domestic product (GDP). The GSDP has been growing at a rapid pace over the last few years. Gross state domestic product (GSDP) registered an average growth of 16.1 per cent in 2007–08.

The State boasts of a very vibrant industrial sector and a rapidly growing services sector. Both these sectors presently contribute about 86 per cent of the state’s domestic product. The agriculture & allied activities sector contributes just 14 per cent of the state’s income though about 55 per cent of the population is dependent on income from this sector. Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra and the financial capital of India houses the headquarters of almost all major financial institutions, insurance companies and mutual funds. India's premier stock exchanges i.e. the Bombay Stock Exchange as well as the National Stock Exchange and the Commodity Exchanges are located in Mumbai.

There are 1,67,312 SME units operating in Manufacturing Sector of Maharashtra. There are another 1,42,716 units are about to start operations in the manufacturing sector.

The State has been recognised as the country's industrial powerhouse and maintains the position of being the most industrialized state. The State is a pioneer in organising the small scale sector. The State continues to attract industrial investment from both, domestic as well as foreign institutions. It has become a leading automobile production hub and a major IT growth centre. It boasts of the largest number of special export promotion zones being set up in the country. During the year 2007-08, about 27 per cent of the exports from the country are from the State.