Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin embarked on a week-long official tour to Germany and the United Kingdom aiming to attract fresh investments to the state and strengthen its global industrial partnerships. This marks his fifth foreign trip since assuming office, further cementing his proactive approach to economic diplomacy and investor engagement.
Before departing from Chennai, Stalin addressed reporters at the airport, firmly defending his international visits amid criticism from opposition parties. “These trips are not mere political exercises but well-planned missions to secure tangible investments for Tamil Nadu’s growth,” he stated. He highlighted the government’s achievements, pointing to statistics from the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation that reflect Tamil Nadu’s robust economic growth under his leadership.
Over the past three years, Stalin has made strategic overseas visits that have significantly boosted the state’s economy. In March 2022, his UAE tour resulted in Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth ₹6,100 crore, creating 15,000 jobs. In May 2023, he visited Singapore and Japan, bringing in ₹1,342 crore in investments and over 2,000 jobs. His Spain trip in early 2024 yielded ₹3,440 crore, while the high-profile August-September 2024 visit to the United States saw Stalin meet tech giants Google and Apple, signing MoUs worth ₹7,616 crore that generated 11,516 jobs. Cumulatively, these efforts have brought in ₹10 lakh crore in investments, creating 30 lakh jobs—both directly and indirectly.
This surge in investments has propelled Tamil Nadu’s economy to grow by 11.19%, its highest growth rate in 14 years, echoing the double-digit growth of 13.12% recorded in 2010-11 under then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. Stalin credited this success to the DMK-led government’s “Dravidian Model,” which prioritizes inclusive development and industrial expansion. He reiterated that his administration’s target of achieving a USD 1 trillion economy by 2030 is within reach, with his ongoing Germany and UK visit expected to further solidify Tamil Nadu’s global investment profile.