Swiss healthcare major Roche Pharma said on Wednesday it will invest 1.5 billion Swiss francs ( approximately $1.9 billion) in India over the next five years, marking a significant expansion as the country becomes a key growth and innovation hub for the pharmaceutical giant.
Roche’s long-term commitment and scale in India
Announcing the investment at the India-European Free Trade Association Prosperity Summit organised on the day of Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) coming into force, Roche Pharma area head CEETRIS (Central Eastern Europe, Turkiye, Russia and Indian Subcontinent) Francois du Toit said the company’s investment underlines a long-term commitment to the Indian market.
“We currently have over 5,000 employees in India. We commit to investing 1.5 billion Swiss Francs at a minimum into our core businesses over the next five years,” du Toit said.
He added that Roche views India not just as a key market but also as a centre for innovation.
EFTA partners follow suit
Several other EFTA-based firms also outlined new investment plans in India during the summit. Hilti, the Liechtenstein-based power tools manufacturer, said it will make India the base for one-third of its global production and will invest an additional ₹150 crore ($18 million) over the next three years.
Geneva-based MSC Shipping, the world’s largest container shipping company, announced plans to explore recycling, shipbuilding and broader investment opportunities at the upcoming Vadhvan mega port in Maharashtra. The firm also intends to bid for terminal operation contracts, according to Deepak Tiwari, Managing Director of MSC Agency (India).
Landqart AG, a Swiss maker of high-security paper used in currency and passports, said it will invest 30 million Swiss francs to expand its footprint in India.
Additional investment announcements came from companies including Bucher Hydraulics and Kohinoor Ropes, among others. In total, 19 companies declared new or expanded investment plans for India at the summit.
Under the TEPA framework, EFTA has pledged to channel $100 billion in investments into India over the next 15 years.