Coffee Major Starbucks to Set Shop in Chennai, to Create 800 Jobs
The proposed centre is expected to undertake technology, business and other global capability functions, strengthening Chennai's position as a hub for multinational companies seeking skilled talent for their global operations.
Chennai:Starbucks will establish its first global capability centre in India in Chennai, with the facility expected to create 800 high-value jobs in its first phase, the Tamil Nadu government said on Monday.
The global coffee major signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government in the presence of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, adding another major multinational to Chennai's rapidly expanding global capability centre ecosystem.
The proposed centre is expected to undertake technology, business and other global capability functions, strengthening Chennai's position as a hub for multinational companies seeking skilled talent for their global operations.
The development follows discussions between the State government and Starbucks on setting up the centre in Chennai. Industries Minister S. Keerthana had held negotiations with Starbucks' team to make a case for Tamil Nadu, according to the government.
"We are delighted to welcome Starbucks to Tamil Nadu. A global brand of Starbucks' stature choosing Chennai to establish its global capability centre is a strong endorsement of our talent, capabilities and the business environment ," Ms Keerthana said.
She said the government wanted global companies to establish their next-generation capabilities in Tamil Nadu and assured continued engagement with investors to facilitate their expansion in the State.
Starbucks' entry comes at a time when Chennai is seeing an expansion of global capability centre operations by multinational companies. Recent global capability centre-related investments and MoUs announced by the State include those involving Nordex, Chubb, Walgreens, EY and Sigma Technology.
The State government has also announced three dedicated global capability centre corridors in Chennai, with higher floor space index (FSI), aimed at facilitating the development and expansion of large-scale global capability operations.
The government said the Starbucks centre would further expand opportunities for high-value employment and enable the company to access Chennai's skilled workforce for its global operations.
Marking the agreement on social media, Ms Keerthana referred to Tamil Nadu's coffee culture, saying: "We just brewed something strong. Tamil Nadu x Starbucks, a partnership blended to perfection."
She also drew a comparison between the State's traditional filter coffee and the global Starbucks brand, describing the partnership as another indication of State''s growing global business presence.
