IT infrastructure giant Cisco is considering setting up a manufacturing and services unit in Maharashtra.
The San Francisco-headquartered company has initiated preliminary talks with the State Government for the new venture. A press statement issued by the Chief Minister's office said that the Government will extend all help to the company.
On Thursday, the Chairman and CEO of the company, Mr John Chambers, held discussions with the Chief Minister. Mr Prithviraj Chavan.
Among other issues, the role of IT in the development of the State was discussed by the two.
A senior Maharashtra Government official said the company, which is famed for its routers and switches, is expected to come up with a more concrete proposal by early July. Given the market demand and availability of quality manpower, the company is keen to invest in the State.
Mr Chambers also expressed his desire to invest in education, health and social security infrastructure in the country, the statement said.
For fiscal 2011, global revenues of Cisco were $43.2 billion. It has been present in India since 1995 and has a pan-India network for sales and marketing of its products.
The company has a software development centre in Bangalore.