Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin returned to Chennai on Saturday after concluding his 14-day US tour, a trip he said yielded significant results in attracting investments to the state. Speaking to reporters at Chennai airport, Stalin proudly announced the signing of 19 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth a total of Rs 7,618 crore during his visit. These investments, he said, will create a substantial 11,516 new jobs and are set to be spread across various locations in Tamil Nadu, including Trichy, Coimbatore, Madurai, Krishnagiri, Chennai, Chengalpet, and Kancheepuram.
Stalin’s US trip was marked by meetings with representatives from 25 top companies, an impressive 18 of which are Fortune 500 companies. He highlighted his efforts to encourage these companies to invest in Tamil Nadu, which he envisions as a $1 trillion economy in the future. He expressed confidence that many of these companies have shown a keen interest in investing in the state.
One notable highlight of the tour was Stalin’s meeting with representatives of Ford automobiles. He revealed that he had actively encouraged them to restart their manufacturing operations at their Maraimalai Nagar plant, assuring them of full support from the Tamil Nadu government.
The chief minister also addressed criticisms from opposition parties regarding the lack of transparency in investment details. He asserted that he had already provided detailed information about all investments secured over the past three years, with state industries minister T.R.B. Rajaa further elaborating on the matter in the state assembly. He also pointedly challenged the track record of his predecessor, Edappadi Palaniswami, claiming that only a small fraction of the investments secured during his foreign trips actually materialized in Tamil Nadu. He further hinted at possessing evidence that could cast a shadow on Palaniswami’s claims, but refrained from disclosing it, citing the potential embarrassment it would bring to his predecessor.
In a separate development, Stalin condemned Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s handling of a recent incident involving D. Srinivasan, Managing Director of Annapoorna Hotel. He criticized Sitharaman’s response to Srinivasan’s apology, calling it a matter of shame. He defended Srinivasan’s actions, suggesting that he had merely voiced genuine concerns raised by businessmen regarding the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system.
Stalin’s return from his US tour marks a significant event for Tamil Nadu, with the state poised to benefit from the influx of new investments and the associated job creation. His efforts to attract foreign investment underscore his commitment to driving economic growth and prosperity for the state.
