Scotland secures Indian investment
Indian company HEROtsc will create 200 new jobs in Scotland, First Minister Alex Salmond announced in Delhi today.
The First Minister confirmed the news following a meeting with Sunil Munjal, Chairman of the Hero Group and Rohit Chanana, President of Hero Management Service Ltd at the group's headquarters.
HEROtsc is the largest Indian employer and investor in Scotland, with seven call centres across the country and more than 1,600 staff. The posts will mainly be based at HEROtsc's call centres in Larbert and Kilmarnock.
The RSA award was made through Scottish Enterprise, which is working with international arm Scottish Development International to attract investment in Scotland from overseas firms.
Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) funding of £850,000 has been awarded to HEROtsc to support the company's plans to expand its Scottish operations.
HEROtsc is part of the Hero Group, an Indian manufacturing and engineering giant which has diversified into training, offshore call centres, IT, financial services and insurance.
The First Minister is in India this week to attend the 2010 Commonwealth Games, to support Scottish athletes and capitalise on Scotland's high profile as the next host nation to explore economic opportunities in India.
Mr Salmond said:
"The Scottish Government continues to work hard to attract jobs and investment to Scotland and I am delighted that HEROtsc is expanding operations by creating 200 new jobs.
"This announcement demonstrates the skills and expertise of the workforce in Scotland which will enable HEROtsc to significantly extend its reach across European markets.
"I was hugely impressed by the staff I met when I visited HEROtsc's Scottish headquarters in Larbert earlier this year and I am sure that the business can continue to build on its current success and reputation for high quality service.
"These jobs highlight the continued commitment of the Scottish Government, Scottish Development International and Scottish Enterprise to promote Scotland as a fantastic destination to live, work and do business."
Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, said:
"Together with our colleagues at Scottish Development International (SDI), we have been working closely with the management team at HEROtsc to attract and secure this further investment in Scotland.
"HEROtsc is already one of the strongest players in Scotland's dynamic call centre industry, and we are heartened by the company's renewed commitment to Scotland - a sign of our ongoing attractiveness to international investors.
"RSA funding is one of the key tools we can use to encourage both indigenous and foreign companies to invest in Scotland, and we will continue to work closely with the company, to help them realise their ambitious plans for growth."
HEROtsc Chief Executive Officer David Turner said:
"At HEROtsc we are enormously proud of the high level of service we give our clients thanks to the skills and talents of our staff.
"Thanks to this financial assistance, we look forward to bringing more employment to our sites and continuing to show that Scotland leads the way in providing this type of service excellence."
Read more about Scotland's links with India.