Hyderabad: Telangana’s IT and Industries Minister, D Sridhar Babu, took a major step towards boosting international economic ties by launching a dedicated Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) desk at Invest Telangana. This initiative aims to strengthen the State’s position as a prime destination for investments from European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries. India had signed the TEPA with EFTA nations — Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein — in March 2024. The agreement is expected to bring in investments worth nearly €100 billion over the next 15 years and create 1 million jobs.
At a special investment event held at the Zurich Innovation Park, Minister Sridhar Babu spoke about Telangana’s strong economic foundation and its readiness to attract global investments. The event was attended by prominent figures, including Swiss National Council member Nicholas Gugger, Switzerland’s Ambassador to India HE Maya Tissafi, and representatives from more than 40 Swiss companies. The gathering highlighted Telangana’s growing importance on the international stage.
In his address, the Minister emphasized Telangana’s global leadership in sectors like IT and Life Sciences. He pointed out that major Swiss companies, such as Novartis, Roche, UBS, and Swiss Re, have already established a strong presence in Hyderabad. “We are dedicated to positioning Telangana as a hub for global business and innovation,” he said. “Our focus is on creating opportunities in emerging technologies and critical sectors, ensuring continued growth and success.”
