Companies queue up to invest in Maharashtra

Microsoft will set up cloud data centres in Mumbai and Pune apart from Chennai with a total investment of Rs 2,100 cr

Impressed by the state government’s efforts to facilitate the ease of doing business, a number of companies have expressed an interest to invest in Maharashtra, claimed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Fadnavis, who has recently returned from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, said international companies, such as Microsoft, GE, Cognizant, Schindler, Nestle, Nomura, JP Morgan, Japanese agency Jetro, Toray International, Safran and Credit Suisse, are upbeat about Maharashtra’s pre-eminence in attracting investments and have welcomed a number of decisions taken by the state government to reduce red tape and simplify procedures.

The chief minister Fadnavis told reporters Microsoft will set up cloud data centres in Mumbai and Pune with a total investment of Rs 2,100 crore.

He said, “Microsoft officials at our meeting also agreed to do a pilot project for digital identity wherein a common card — taking Aadhar as the base card — will have the details of all documents like driving licence and passport.”

According to Fadnavis, the government has already handed over the land-allotment letter to Cognizant for their planned expansion, which could add more than 20,000 jobs over the next few years, in Pune.

“The reason why Cognizant zeroed in on Pune is because the quality of the workforce is the best not only as compared to other states in India but also many global cities,” said Fadnavis.

Schindler, whose approval was stuck for over a year, has agreed to invest in the second phase at Talegoan in a facility for manufacturing escalators. General Electric plans to invest about Rs 3,000 crore in the state while Toray International has plans to invest in technical fibres and polyester.

“We have requested them to consider Amravati or Nagpur and assured them all support for developing an integrated textile park,” added the chief minister.

Fadnavis said Safran, a French multinational aircraft, rocket-engine and aerospace-component manufacturer has shown a desire to invest in Maharashtra.

“We have offered them land in Nagpur given the existing ecosystem in the region for this sector. It will be quite suitable site for Safran, which is already associated with Boeing.”

A maintenance, repair and overhaul unit of Boeing is already coming up in Nagpur.