Shinde says Aria’s investment will fortify the state’s manufacturing sector
Qatar’s Aria Holding will invest over Rs.2,000 crores to establish a state-of-the-art float glass manufacturing facility in Maharashtra under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the World Economic Forum 2024 Annual Meeting in Davos.
“The Government of Maharashtra welcomes this investment by Aria Holding, and this MoU marks a significant milestone in our efforts to promote the local economy and attract new investors to the state,” stated Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister of Maharashtra after witnessing the MoU signing.
“We are confident that this investment by Aria Holding will fortify the state’s manufacturing sector and create a spectrum of job opportunities, from skilled labour for manufacturing to professionals, and will bring tangible benefits to our state.
“We are committed to providing all necessary support for successfully establishing the float glass plant,” he said, welcoming the investment.
“Aria Holding is excited to be a part of India’s growth story through this strategic investment.
“Our state-of-the-art factories in Maharashtra will manufacture glass for local, national, and international demand,” added Suraj Thampi, Group CEO of Aria Holding.
“India is going through a massive boom in infrastructure development nationally, and we plan to capture a significant share of that growth. Through our portfolio companies, we also plan to establish a robust export strategy for our products,” said Thampi, after signing the MoU.
Dr. Harshdeep Kamble, Principal Secretary of the Industries Ministry, singed the MoU in the presence of Shinde, the Minister of Industries, Uday Samant, and John Douglas, Commercial Director, Alutec Facades.
“It is rewarding to see our continued expansion and investment into new markets through this MoU,” remarked Sheikh Ali Bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman, Aria Holding. “India is a compelling destination for investment, and Maharashtra, with its location, workforce, infrastructure, and progressive policies, provides us with a great platform to establish our factories.”
The MoU aligns with the ‘Make in India’ initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, repositioning India as a critical market to do business in, attracting unprecedented growth in foreign investments.
Infrastructure development is core to India’s growth strategy, and float glass plays a pivotal role across sectors, including construction, automotive, and industries. A significant amount of float glass requirements is still met through imports, and demand continues to increase.
Aria Holding’s investment will boost the domestic supply of float glass and is intertwined with India’s development strategy, supporting infrastructure expansion, automotive growth, energy efficiency, employment generation, and technological advancements.
Aria Holding, a multinational conglomerate headquartered in Qatar, operates across diverse sectors, including engineering, industrial, technology, business services, and trading. Fiinews.com
