A maintenance, repair and overhaul facility is likely to be set up near Shamshabad airport

Soon after Google announced that it would set up its biggest campus outside the U.S. in Hyderabad, Brand Hyderabad is set to get bigger with French investors evincing interest in opening units in several sectors in Telangana.

An announcement is expected soon on the setting up of a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility near the Shamshabad International Airport as part of investments proposed in the aerospace sector by the French investors, according to sources. A delegation from the Embassy of France, led by Jean Rene Cougard, Minister Counsellor for Economic and Financial Affairs and Head of the Regional Economic Service for India and South Asia, met Chief Secretary Rajiv Sharma and Industries and Commerce Secretary Sabyasachi Ghosh here on Thursday.

The facility would give a big boost to the aerospace sector.

At present, about 200 aircraft operated in India by Airbus and Dassault Falcon aircraft have to fly out of the country for overhaul in the absence of a major MRO facility, sources say. Furthermore, more French aircraft will come to India as it recently ordered 36 Rafale jets.

The delegation indicated that it also identified food processing, solar energy, renewable energy, electronics and IT, pharmaceuticals and logistics support for investment across India. “Telangana State is being considered seriously by the French given its strategic location and pro-industry governance,” government sources said.