Vijay returns from UK with Rs 15,300 crore investment commitments
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has returned to Chennai after completing a six-day official visit to the United Kingdom, with the state government announcing investment commitments of Rs 15,300 crore and the potential creation of more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.
According to an official release, the visit was part of Tamil Nadu’s broader plan to build a USD 1.5 trillion economy by 2036, with the government focusing on investment, administrative efficiency and transparency.
During the visit, Vijay met Indian High Commissioner to the UK Kumaran Periasamy on September 12. Their discussions included opportunities arising from the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
A number of agreements and letters of intent were subsequently signed on September 14, covering sectors such as automobile components, research and development, renewable energy, electrical equipment and global capability centres.
Samvardhana Motherson International, in collaboration with European and British entities, has committed Rs 11,000 crore towards activities including engineering, design, manufacturing, logistics and assembly. The projects are expected to create around 7,000 jobs.
Sweden-based Sigma Technology Group, through Sriya Solutions, plans to expand its global capability centre operations in Chennai and Tiruchirappalli. The expansion is expected to create about 600 specialised positions in areas such as embedded technology and industrial digitalisation.
Ernst & Young has also entered into an agreement to establish a global capability centre in Chennai under a Build-Operate-Transform-
UK-based Wilson Power Solutions has committed Rs 300 crore for a transformer manufacturing facility in Tiruvallur district. The project is expected to generate approximately 400 jobs.
Vijay also visited the Silverstone Circuit after announcing in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on September 3 that the state would develop a world-class motor sports city. During his visit, he reviewed the circuit’s race control centre, track, safety arrangements and museum.
Actor and racing driver Ajith Kumar was involved in demonstrating aspects of circuit operations. Vijay also flagged off the 2026 Michelin Le Mans Cup at Silverstone, an event in which Kumar competed.
The chief minister asked state officials to ensure that the necessary clearances and operational arrangements were completed quickly for the investments announced during the trip.
He thanked the Indian High Commission, Silverstone and Michelin Le Mans officials, investors, the Tamil diaspora and Ajith Kumar for their support. A planned interaction with the Tamil diaspora in London was cancelled after Metropolitan Police raised security concerns, the release said. The cancellation had left hundreds of fans who had gathered near The Shard disappointed.