India Poised To Become Global AI Hub, Says Nadir Godrej

Nadir Godrej, Managing Director of Godrej Industries stated that India has the potential to emerge as a global center for Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions, leveraging its strong foundation in technology and Global Capability Centres (GCCs).

He highlighted that India’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047 will be driven by economic reforms, business-friendly policies, education, and advancements in cutting-edge technologies.

Speaking on workforce development, Godrej emphasized the need for greater participation of women in the economy.

“As the economy expands, there will be more and more consumers in India, so that will be a big growth factor. With things like Artificial Intelligence. India has a lot of potential, and hopefully we’ll see a lot coming out of India,” he asserted.

Nadir Godrej also noted that India could mirror its success in the IT sector by becoming a key provider of AI solutions globally.

“Like our IT industry, we could also be a centre for providing AI to the rest of the world. Our Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are doing very well, and we could have GCCs in some of these newer technologies as well,” he added.

Godrej further stressed the importance of regulatory reforms and ease of doing business to fuel growth.

He emphasized the need to empower people and highlighted the importance of increasing women’s participation in the workforce.

Investment Of Godrej In Madhya Pradesh

Speaking at the Madhya Pradesh Global Investors Summit in Bhopal, Godrej told PTI that the company is expanding its Malanpur factory, with the increased capacity expected to be operational later this year.

“I was at 2023 summit as well in Indore and at that time we committed to expanding factory in Malanpur and we have made investment of Rs 450 crore there. That expansion should be ready later this year and we are hoping that the CM will come an inaugurate it,” he remarked.

The expansion primarily focuses on enhancing the production of existing products.

“But of course, we will make new innovations and new version of those products that will all be made at this factory. This is going to be the largest soap factory in Asia,” he said.

On employment opportunities, Godrej stated that the workforce at the Malanpur plant would double from 1,000 to 2,000 employees following the expansion.

Godrej highlighted Madhya Pradesh’s central location, rapid economic growth, investor-friendly policies, and streamlined single-window clearance as key factors making it an appealing investment destination.

“We have just made a major investment, we will continue to make investments in MP. Godrej Properties is also doing project in Indore and Godrej Capital has come here as well and Godrej Agrovet has many activities in Madhya Pradesh, because MP is a leading agricultural state. So we think there is a lot of opportunity,” he concluded.

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