Tamil Nadu Unlimited | ‘Highly skilled workforce and favourable business environment make T.N. an attractive business destination’
The Hindu
Tamil Nadu is an attractive investment destination in India due to its sustainable development, skilled and trained workforce, and huge market opportunities. The US, Germany, and Japan Consul-Generals highlighted TN's strengths and potential for growth, such as elite institutions, a powerful diaspora, response to COVID-19, and economic performance. TN's advantages include well-trained workforce, good business environment, and proximity to ports and airports.
Consul-Generals of the United States of America, the Federal Republic of Germany, and Japan on Tuesday underlined that Tamil Nadu’s sustainable development, skilled and trained workforce, and, of course, the huge market opportunities makes it an attractive investment destination in India.
At a panel discussion on ‘Destination TN: A Perspective From the Consul Generals’ as part of the Tamil Unlimited summit organised by The Hindu, in association with Guidance Tamil Nadu, the United States (U.S.) Consul-General in Chennai, Christopher W. Hodges, said Tamil Nadu was seen to have ‘two big advantages’ in the American context.
“I want to highlight the strengths and areas for potential further growth. Elite institutions in Tamil Nadu, such as IIT-Madras and Anna University, have enjoyed partnerships with U.S. universities, but also really existed in the intersection between industry and higher education as drivers for research and development,” he said.
“Another real strength is the huge power diaspora in the U.S. And the work that the Tamil Nadu government has done to leverage and mobilise the diaspora, not just to to spread and solidify cultural connections but also as ambassadors for business,” Mr. Hodges said.
At the session moderated by Suresh Seshadri, Business Editor, The Hindu, TAGA Masayuki, Consul-General of Japan in Chennai, said he was impressed with the response of the Tamil Nadu government and the medical system in Chennai and the rest of the State to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Since I joined the mission here in June 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was very much impressed by the response of the government and the medical system. Compared to New Delhi and Bengaluru, the situation in Chennai and Tamil Nadu was comparatively better. That is one important thing Japanese companies think about when searching for a destination for their investments,” he said.
Manufacturing companies choose Tamil Nadu due to its economic performance. India has a huge advantage because of its huge market. This was mainly in the automobile sector, Mr. Masayuki said, citing the case of Nissan.
With increased terminal entry points (eGates) at Mumbai International airport from 24 to 68, which is the highest number of e-gates at kerbside or landside in the country, the expansion will enhance the airport’s processing capacity to an astounding 7,440 passengers per hour at Terminal 2 (T2) and 2,160 at T1