Fadnavis clinches business deals, investments in Davos

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis successfully clinched many key investment and corporate deals with multinationals in Davos, which are expected to generate more than 20,000 jobs in the state.

"We have handed over the allotment letter of land to Cognizant for their planned expansion in Pune, which will add 20,000 jobs over the next few years," Fadnavis informed media persons on the outcome of his last week's visit to the World Economic Forum summit in Davos, Switzerland.

Cognizant, among the leading software companies in the world, has chosen Pune because of the best quality of workforce, not only in India but many other global cities, Fadnavis explained.

MicroSoft is planning to set up two data centres, one each in Mumbai and Pune, while Schindler will invest in a second phase project at Talegaon, near Pune for manufacturing escalators.

General Electric will invest around Rs.3000 crore in Maharashtra as part of the Make In India programme of the centre, while Australian paper manufacturing firm Visy is keen to set up a paper recycling plant for which its officials would visit Mumbai next month, Fadnavis said.

Safran, a French MNC manufacturing aircraft, rocket engine and aerospace components, is planning to enter India, for which the Maharashtra government has offered land in Nagpur, in tune with the existing ecosystem in the region for this sector.

Toray International is planning to invest in technical fibres and polyester for which Fadnavis recommended Amravati-Nagpur region and help for an integrated textile park.

Volkswagen intends to make India and Maharashtra its global hub for manufacturing small segment cars, for which Fadnavis inaugurated its diesel engine manufacturing plant in Chakan, near Pune, Tuesday.

Other major companies planning to set up operations in the state include Hilti Group, Diageo, Khimji Group, Credit Suisse, Nomura, JP Morgan, Nestle, Mitsui and Jetro.

During his visit, Fadnavis held discussions with other important companies like Pepsico, Hyosung, L'Oreal, Novartis, Toray International and the Deutsche Bank.