Hinduja group ties up with Dubai World

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| While the Hindujas will spend Rs 1,200 crore in Dubai to set up a world-class waterfront project spread over 2 million sq ft, Dubai World will partner with the Hindujas in their attempts to set up a chain of hospitals across India. |
| The initial investment into the healthcare project is Rs 4,400 crore ($ 1 billion) that is to be equally contributed by the partners. The Hindujas are also exploring the possibilities of establishing a manufacturing unit for Ashok Leyland, the group's flagship brand, in Dubai. |
| According to A P Hinduja, chairman, Hinduja group, the company has already purchased land in the waterfront project of Al Nakheel (a Dubai World subsidiary) and would develop the area for world -class resort, commercial and mixed use purposes. |
| On his healthcare plans, Hinduja said the 51:49 joint venture with Limitless LLC (another Dubai World subsidiary) will initially set up hospitals in cities like Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore. |
| The Hinduja brand hospital chain is to have its presence in all major cities of the country. "We have already purchased the required land in six locations," Hinduja said. |
| The healthcare investments of the group will come through its listed entity in India ie, Hinduja TMT. The initial investment would aim at having facilities with a cumulative capacity of 2,000 beds in 2 - 3 years. Without ruling out the possibilities of a medical SEZ (special economic zone), Hinduja said that the hospital project would also include nursing schools and medical research programmes attached to them. |
| The technical expertise will come from its own, successfully managed P D Hinduja National Hospital and Medical Research Centre in Mumbai. Consulting firm A T Kearney has prepared a long- term business plan for the Hinduja group. |
| Formal agreements on the joint venture projects were signed by Hinduja representatives and Dubai World chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem at New Delhi today. |
First Published: Mar 27 2007 | 12:00 AM IST