CM Vijay’s UK visit brings over Rs 12,300 crore investment commitments, 9,400 jobs

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s investment trip to UK saw the state delegation sign multiple MoUs involving investments for over Rs 12,300 crore in London on Monday.

The investment drive, aimed at positioning Tamil Nadu as Asia’s premier advanced manufacturing and technology hub, is expected to generate more than 9,400 high-value jobs across the state.

However, the CM’s high-profile UK itinerary, which included a visit to the Silverstone motor racing circuit in England, drew sharp criticism from opposition parties, which questioned whether the trip was primarily aimed at securing investments for the state. The single-largest investment commitment of the tour came from auto component major Samvardhana Motherson International Limited. Partnering with its European and UK-based joint venture entities, the group signed an MoU with Guidance Tamil Nadu to invest approximately Rs 11,000 crore over the next five years, the state’s investment facilitation agency said.

Under the agreement, Motherson will establish integrated Design, Engineering, Manufacturing, Assembly and Logistics (DEMAL) facilities at strategic locations across Tamil Nadu. The project alone is expected to create nearly 7,000 jobs in advanced engineering and supply chain operations. The investment push also extended to digital infrastructure, technical consultancy and heavy equipment sectors. Ernst & Young, the professional services firm, committed `1,000 crore to establish a Global Capability Centre in Tamil Nadu, which is expected to create more than 2,000 high-value corporate jobs.

Sigma Technology Group, a Swedish technology firm, signed agreements to expand its digital services and engineering operations in the State.

Strengthening the electrical manufacturing corridor, UK-based power equipment maker Wilson Power Solutions signed a Rs 300 crore investment MoU for a new manufacturing unit in Tiruvallur district, creating 400 local jobs. The MoU was signed by Hari Krishna Malepathy, Group Technical Director, Dennis Sorby, Group Finance Director, and Managing Director of Guidance Tamil Nadu, Deepak Jacob.

Industries Minister S Keerthana said Tamil Nadu was attracting investments on a large scale under the leadership of CM Vijay.

“The Hon’ble chief minister’s visit to London has secured strong investment commitments across manufacturing, technology and Global Capability Centres. The Rs 11,000 crore investment commitment from Samvardhana Motherson International will create around 7,000 employment opportunities across design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly and logistics,” she said.

“The Rs 1,000 crore investment from EY towards establishing a Global Capability Centre in Tamil Nadu will create more than 2,000 high-value jobs. Sigma Technology Group is expanding its presence in Tamil Nadu, further strengthening our state’s position as a destination for technology and digital services,” she said.” More investment. More jobs. More opportunity. Every investment strengthens our economy. Every job strengthens a family. Every new capability strengthens Tamil Nadu,” Keerthana said in a post on X.

A leading European vehicle spare parts manufacturing company expressed its preference for Tamil Nadu as the preferred location for its proposed Rs 3,000 crore investment in India, and submitted its letter of intent to Jacob.

The state government has assured to provide all necessary support and cooperation to facilitate the proposed investment and to successfully establish the company’s operations in Tamil Nadu, a release from the government said. Ashok Leyland Managing Director Dheeraj Hinduja, executive chairman of Finolex Industries Ltd Prakash P Chhabria, and director Ritu Prakash Chhabria called on CM Vijay on Monday.

During the meeting, Hinduja briefed the chief minister about the progress of Hinduja Group’s investments in Tamil Nadu and the steps being taken under the MoU worth Rs 2,500 crore signed during the Vettri Tamil Nadu Investors’ Conclave held in Chennai in August.

The delegation expressed its commitment to continue investing and expanding its business in Tamil Nadu and expressed interest in further increasing investments in the renewable energy sector, especially in the wind power sector.

The meeting also discussed ways to increase exports of commercial vehicles manufactured in Tamil Nadu and strengthen Tamil Nadu’s role as an export hub for the automotive industry, the release said.

The event was attended by the Indian Ambassador to the UK, Kumaran Periyasamy, Minister Economic, HCI London and chief negotiator for the India-UK FTA Nidhi Mani Tripathi, and senior officials of the Government of Tamil Nadu.