Walmart moots 5 stores in HP

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 7

After the Delhi Investors Meet concluded in New Delhi yesterday, several investors, including Walmart, have sent proposals to the state government.

CEO of Walmart Krish Iyer had met Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on October 5 at Delhi with a proposal to set up five wholesale stores in Himachal. The company, which proposes to make an investment of $ 10 million in the state, yesterday wrote to the state government seeking help with regard to selection of the sites for the setting up of five stores near the main towns of Shimla, Solan, Mandi, Dharamshala and Palampur.

Vice President and Head Corporate Affairs (India) Walmart, Rajneesh Kumar wrote a letter to Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue and Power) Tarun Sridhar to help the company in completing the necessary formalities and the officials to be contacted in this regard.

The company has been assured of full help and cooperation with regard to selection of sites, land purchases and other formalities.

The setting up of the wholesale stores is expected to generate an employment for over 2,000 persons in the state. Walmart has its presence in 19 other cities of the country. Walmart has sought two to three acres of land at each of the sites. The company is also keen to make investment in schemes for women empowerment, training and education in Himachal.

“The response at the Delhi meet has been overwhelming and the projects involve huge investment with several prominent international companies desiring to invest in the state,” admitted an enthusiastic official of the Industry Department.

The Industry Department is already scouting for new industrial areas and has a land bank so that investors could be offered possible site for setting up their units.

Investors have evinced keen interest in the area of Health Tourism, considering the climatic suitability and salubrious environs that Himachal offers.

A proposal has also been submitted by Pretty Petals in agro processing and cold storage, LM group International in cider, wine and tourism resorts and the Apollo group in waste management and healthcare sector.

The Rs 1000-crore project for setting up portable self-service fuel filling stations (petrol pumps) through a new world-wide patented technology by Alinz (India) in collaboration with Czech Republic is amongst the most attractive investments that could be made in the state.