At World Economic Forum, Unilever explores establishing Global Capability Centre in Hyderabad

Davos: On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF), global consumer goods titan Unilever expressed strong interest in establishing a Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Hyderabad.

The potential partnership was discussed during a strategic meeting between a high-level Telangana delegation, led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Willem Uijen, Unilever’s Chief Supply Chain & Operations Officer.

Pitching Hyderabad as new destination for GCCs

During the discussions, CM Revanth highlighted Hyderabad’s rapid evolution into a premier global hub for capability centres. Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are strategic units that handle high-value operations—such as R&D, digital transformation and finance—for their parent multinational corporations.

Uijen noted that Unilever is keen to explore the city’s potential, acknowledging its robust infrastructure and skilled talent pool. Minister for IT and Industries, D Sridhar Babu, reinforced the pitch by pointing to the city’s successful track record with other major brands.

“Hyderabad is already home to the GCCs of major FMCG players like McDonald's, Heineken and Costco,” stated Minister Sridhar Babu. “Unilever is a prized partner, and we offer the policy continuity and fast-paced approvals essential for global business growth.”

Expanding the footprint

Beyond the digital and operational scope of a GCC, the Telangana delegation invited Unilever to explore setting up Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) manufacturing units within the state’s specialised industrial parks.

The meeting also delved into sustainability—a core priority for both the state and the corporation. The two parties discussed aligning Unilever’s global 2026 goals regarding climate action and plastic reduction with Telangana's local initiatives in:

- Renewable Energy Expansion: Integrating green power into industrial operations.

- Water Stewardship: Partnering on water-positive farming and industrial practices.

- Circular Economy: Developing local ecosystems for plastic waste reduction and recycling.

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and other senior officials participated in the talks, signalling a unified government effort to bring the project to fruition.