Tamil Nadu CM Vijay begins first overseas trip in UK to draw investment

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay departed Chennai late on Thursday night for the United Kingdom, his first official overseas visit since taking office. He left the airport at 10.05 p.m. and is travelling to London via Dubai, with arrival expected on September 11.

The trip is aimed at drawing fresh investment into Tamil Nadu in advanced manufacturing, automobiles and electric vehicles, electronics, and Global Capability Centres, with the goal of generating high-end jobs. During the visit, the Chief Minister will oversee the signing of Memoranda of Understanding with UK-based companies and hold discussions with industry representatives and entrepreneurs.

A government release noted that within 100 days of the TVK-led government assuming office, the State has signed MoUs for investments exceeding ₹1 lakh crore. Multinational companies from several European countries have proposed projects worth about ₹8,491 crore, expected to create employment for around 5,690 people. The release added that the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, in force since July 15, has given further momentum to these efforts. UK firms already have a substantial presence in Tamil Nadu across engineering, financial services and technology, with several operating manufacturing facilities and GCCs in the State.

As part of the visit, Mr. Vijay will travel to the Silverstone motor racing circuit to study its design, safety systems and practices for running such a facility efficiently and commercially. The stop follows his recent Assembly announcement on setting up a Motor Sports City in Tamil Nadu, and is intended to explore prospects in motorsports infrastructure, sports tourism and allied specialised automobile industries.

Accompanying the Chief Minister are Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Aadhav Arjuna, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu Member Secretary J. Meghanatha Reddy, and Guidance Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Deepak Jacob, along with other officials. Mr. Arjuna and the official delegation had already left for the UK. The delegation is scheduled to return to Chennai on September 17.