Over 73% of MoUs converted into investments in T.N., says Stalin

Sharing data on the MoUs signed in Tamil Nadu since mid-2021, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday said 73.53% of the 1,179 agreements had been converted into actual projects.

“This data is for those who have been questioning us over the conversion of MoUs,” the Chief Minister said, speaking at the Conversion Conclave 2026 in Chennai.

In an elaborate presentation on the subject, Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa said a total of 1,179 MoUs, entailing a cumulative investment of ₹12.37 lakh crore and the creation of 36.52 lakh jobs, were signed in the past five years. Of them, 867 projects were in advanced stages of implementation, he added. “The conversion rate is 73.53%, while 35.11% are operational,” he said, contending that no other State had the courage or the capability to hold a conclave to prove how MoUs were being converted into investments.

“We ensured distributed growth across all districts in Tamil Nadu. The focus was not on investment numbers; it was on the number of jobs, the quality of the jobs, and the location of the jobs. According to EPFO data, 29.63 lakh jobs have been created over the past four years. I am trying to give the facts from our side, and I’m also backing them up with data from the Union government,’ Mr. Rajaa said.

According to the Minister, 18 investment conclaves were held across Tamil Nadu, and in countries including the U.S., Dubai, and the UAE. A total of 1,130 MoUs were signed at these conclaves, with a committed investment of ₹10.43 lakh crore and a committed employment for 33.30 lakh people, he said. With regard to the foreign conclaves, the conversion rate stood at 69.56%, with 26.08% already operational, while 48 of the 69 MoUs signed were at an advanced stage of implementation, he added.

Stating that the Dravidian model of governance focuses on distributed growth, the Minister added, “We have ensured distributed growth – the northern region has grown by 41%, and the southern region by 36%.”

“In the central and western regions, land availability is tough, but we will bring more investors here,” he said.

Mr. Rajaa also showed a chart highlighting the economic impact of the investments. He said the State had achieved 11.19% GSDP growth in the financial year 2025, and 36% growth in per capita income in four years. The four-year average in manufacturing stood at 9.38%, $52.07 billion (2x growth in exports in a year), 36% growth in electronics exports in five years and 14.74% manufacturing growth in one year.

Two fresh MoUs were signed at the conclave. One was with Bharat Biotech for bio-similars manufacturing in Kancheepuram, entailing investments to the tune of ₹5,000 crore. An MoU was also signed with Hyundai Motors India Foundation for setting up a skill development centre for training 7,000 students in futuristic skills in Kancheepuram. The ground-breaking ceremony was held for over 70 companies.

Dabur India Ltd, the world’s largest ayurveda company, held the ground-breaking ceremony for its new, world-class FMCG manufacturing facility at Tindivanam. This is Dabur’s first manufacturing plant in south India.