Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s ongoing visit to the United Kingdom has resulted in investment commitments worth more than ₹12,300 crore, according to the state government. The agreements, signed in London, are expected to generate more than 9,400 jobs across manufacturing, technology and other sectors.
The biggest commitment came from auto-component major Samvardhana Motherson International Limited. Along with its European and UK-based joint venture partners, the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Guidance Tamil Nadu to invest around ₹11,000 crore in the state over the next five years.
The proposed investment will support the development of integrated design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly and logistics facilities at various locations in Tamil Nadu. The project alone is expected to create nearly 7,000 jobs, particularly in advanced engineering and supply-chain operations.
Professional services company Ernst & Young has also committed ₹1,000 crore to establish a Global Capability Centre in Tamil Nadu. The facility is expected to create more than 2,000 high-value jobs. Swedish technology company Sigma Technology Group has signed agreements to expand its digital services and engineering operations in the state.
The electrical manufacturing sector also received a boost during the UK visit. British power equipment manufacturer Wilson Power Solutions signed an MoU to invest ₹300 crore in a new manufacturing facility in Tiruvallur district. The unit is expected to generate around 400 local employment opportunities.
A leading European auto spare-parts manufacturer has separately identified Tamil Nadu as its preferred location for a proposed ₹3,000 crore investment in India. The company has submitted a letter of intent to Guidance Tamil Nadu, while the state government has assured it of necessary support to establish operations.
Tamil Nadu Industries Minister S Keerthana welcomed the investment commitments, saying the state was attracting large-scale investments under the chief minister’s leadership. She highlighted the Motherson and EY projects as major contributors to employment and the state’s manufacturing and technology ecosystem.
The visit has also included meetings with senior business leaders. Ashok Leyland Managing Director Dheeraj Hinduja, Finolex Industries Executive Chairman Prakash P Chhabria and Director Ritu Prakash Chhabria met the chief minister in London. Discussions included existing investments, renewable energy, wind power and increasing exports of commercial vehicles manufactured in Tamil Nadu.
However, Vijay’s UK visit has also faced criticism from the Opposition. AIADMK general secretary and former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami questioned whether the visit had initially produced visible investment-related outcomes. He claimed that public attention had instead focused on Vijay attending actor-racer Ajith Kumar’s Le Mans Cup race at Silverstone.
Vijay left for London on September 10 on a week-long visit aimed at attracting investments to Tamil Nadu. He is accompanied by cabinet colleague Aadhav Arjuna and senior government officials and is expected to return to India on September 17.
The latest investment commitments have given the Tamil Nadu government an opportunity to highlight the state’s growing appeal as a destination for advanced manufacturing, technology, engineering and global business operations.
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