Meet the new fan of Modi's 'Make in India'

Seeing big opportunity in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’, General Electric chairman Jeffery Immelt wants to ramp up their facilities to be in line with the campaign.

"GE is interested in commercial and military aviation, renewable, oil, gas and sees big opportunity in making in India. It (India) is quickly evolving into a manufacturing base that we cannot avoid to ignore," Immelt told reporters at a press briefing in Delhi.

Immelt was positive on the Modi government's efforts to create an environment in the ease of doing business. "We would like to see continuing thrust by PM Modi on reforms. They are absolutely in the right direction. There is a need to curb power sector subsidies in India, especially power pricing."

Immelt termed India as Asia's growth driver, adding that the country offered a whole lot of room in manufacturing now compared to previous years.

"If you are a long-term investor in India, then you will be optimistic," Immelt said. "These are exciting times for the country and GE definitely wants to be here. Sectors like renewable energy and aviation offer future promise, which is why India for us is a strategic market going forward," Immelt said.

The GE chairman played down China worry, saying that it was not all that bad. "We (GE) have a huge presence there and we would not want a slowdown there. Having said that, things are not terrible by any means."

Immelt pitched for an infrastructure and transportation boom, saying his firm wanted to do a lot more in the sectors for India. "These efforts will have a ripple-effect on the overall economic growth in India and beyond," he added.

The firm this year announced a $200 million investment in the multi-modal manufacturing facility in Pune. This facility delivers localised products and solutions to Indian customers while also feeding GE's global supply chain.

The company is now also partnering with various states across India to form public private partnerships (PPP). In healthcare, GE already has such PPPs with seven state governments.

(Image credits: Indiatimes)