The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Intel eyes Chennai to set up unit

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 08, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Intel eyes Chennai to set up unit

S. Vydhianathan

It could provide thousands of jobs

CHENNAI: A team of officials from Intel Corporation was in the city on Thursday to explore the possibility of setting up an advanced test manufacturing facility. It will visit sites identified by the State Government and hold discussions on the facilities to be offered by Tamil Nadu for setting up the unit.

Based on the team's report, a final decision will be taken by Intel, the largest chipmaker in the world. The firm has short-listed three cities, including Chennai, for setting up the facility. A final decision on the location of the unit will be known during the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to United States during the second half of this month.

If Chennai is selected, it will be a boon for industries as the company plans to invest $ 500 million initially, which will go up to $ 2,500 million, providing employment opportunities to thousands of people.

Besides it will help set up down stream industries. The State Government had assured Intel of providing infrastructure like land, water and power to the company. The Centre on its part had also agreed to extend all possible assistance for setting up the unit here.

The Chief Secretary with a team of officials met Finance Minister P. Chidambaram recently, and held discussions about the project.

Discussions with Intel have been in progress for the past eight months on the possibility of setting up the facility in the city. Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology Dayanidhi Maran had met the Intel chairman Craig Barrett during his recent visit to U.S.

Mr. Maran had carried a letter to Mr. Barrett from the Indian Prime Minister to impress on him the benefits of locating Intel's facility in Chennai.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu