Tamil Nadu is preparing to take its investment pitch to the global stage, with Chief Minister Vijay expected to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The visit, confirmed by the ruling
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to NDTV, would be a first for Tamil Nadu. No sitting Chief Minister from the state has attended the Davos gathering so far.
Vijay’s proposed trip comes as his government looks to attract international investors and raise Tamil Nadu’s profile among global businesses. The Chief Minister is expected to use the forum to engage with business leaders and explore opportunities for new investments in the state.
Davos has previously been visited by Tamil Nadu’s Industries Ministers. Thangam Thennarasu and later TRB Rajaa travelled to the Swiss resort town during the previous DMK government as part of efforts to seek investment.
TVK spokesperson M Sathyakumar said Vijay’s presence at the forum could bring greater international attention to Tamil Nadu. He told NDTV that the state could see major investments following the visit.
Sathyakumar also spoke about the visibility Vijay could receive at the event, saying the Chief Minister would get a reception that he claimed would be unlike that of any other global leader.
The proposed trip comes against the backdrop of a political dispute over Tamil Nadu’s investment performance. The Opposition has criticised the government, alleging that the state is falling behind other states when it comes to attracting fresh projects.
TVK has rejected that criticism and has instead raised questions over the Centre’s role in helping Tamil Nadu secure overseas investments. The party has alleged that Andhra Pradesh, ruled by NDA ally N Chandrababu Naidu, receives greater support from the Union government.
The BJP has denied the allegation that the Centre favours Andhra Pradesh.
Sathyakumar also claimed that Tamil Nadu was not receiving adequate assistance from the Union government and the Ministry of External Affairs while trying to bring foreign investors to the state.
He said this had not stopped Tamil Nadu from securing investment commitments worth about ₹1 lakh crore. The focus, he added, was now on converting those announcements into functioning projects.
The government is also looking at companies that are already operating in Tamil Nadu. According to Sathyakumar, encouraging existing industrial players to expand will be another part of the state’s investment strategy.
Vijay’s Davos visit, if it goes ahead, will give the newly formed TVK government an opportunity to make its investment pitch directly to global businesses while also seeking to position Tamil Nadu as a competitive destination for new and expanded industrial projects.
