Reliance Industries is leading an initiative to invest INR600 billion ($9.3 billion) to provide digital services in India’s Maharashtra state.
The company, which owns Indian operator Reliance Jio, will be joined in its efforts by over twenty major international tech firms, including Cisco, Dell, HP, Nokia, Nvidia and Siemens. Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani said that the goal of the project was to establish India’s “first integrated digital industrial area”.
While Ambani did not explain the exact location of this area or when the initiative was scheduled to commence, he noted that the appetite for investment in the project was evident, saying: “When we contacted globally reputed technology companies to participate in this initiative, we received an instant and enthusiastic response.”
Reports on the initiative indicate that it will aim to alleviate socio-economic problems in Maharashtra, while Ambani is keen for India to advance ahead of China in terms of manufacturing by focusing on digital services. Reliance Jio will play its part in the project by connecting institutions such as schools and hospitals.
