Vizag emerges as GCC hub with two new launches

Visakhapatnam: Efforts to project Visakhapatnam as an ideal Tier-II destination for Global Capability Centers (GCCs) is yielding positive results, with Eisai Pharma and NTT Inc gearing up to launch their operations in March.

NTT has leased space at the Inspiredge building in Rushikonda. Lulumon is also in talks to establish GCC in the city, while ANSR has already signed an MoU with the State Government. Samvardhana Motherson has proposed setting up an IT, R&D and GCC facility at a cost of Rs.109.73 crore in 3.55 acres. Japan-based Eisai Pharma, a global healthcare major with a strong presence at the Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City (JNPC), Parawada, is keen to expand its digital transformation and innovation footprint in India through its Vizag GCC, said Makoto Haketsu, Global Chief Information Officer, Eisai Pharma.

During the 30th edition of CII Partnership Summit organized, jointly by the AP Govt and DPIIT, Primus Partners hosted a panel on ‘Where Debate Becomes Dialogue: IT & GCCs in Tier-2 Cities in India: Breaking Barriers or Building Illusions?’

The launching of operations by IT major Cognizant, TCS’s plans to inaugurate its temporary campus at Millennium Towers, and the successful commercial validation of the first flight recently at Bhogapuram International Airport have sent positive signals on Return on Investments (RoI). Capgemini, Accenture, and several other technology majors are in talks with the government for land to establish their centres. The government is offering tailor-made incentives, including land at 99 paise per acre for anchor investors. Kiran Babu Cherukuri, EVP & Global GCC Practice Head at HCL Tech, told Bizz Buzz that Visakhapatnam has the ingredients to become a futuristic GCC hub due to its large entry-level talent pool and proactive government. However, he stressed the need to improve social infrastructure and international schooling options to attract mid-level global talent. “Instead of brain drain, there will be brain gain once the right ecosystem is created,” he said. Meanwhile, the Raheja Group has been allotted land at Madhurawada to develop an IT park.