Zeebiz Bureau

Gandhinagar: Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) is expected to take a board decision this month regarding the setting up of a manufacturing plant in Gujarat for its Indian arm Maruti Suzuki India (MSI).

The development comes amidst the ongoing strike at Maruti’s Manesar plant which entered the 13th day today.

SMC Chairman Osamu Suzuki met Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi this September. Speaking to reporters after meeting state said: “Considering all the discussion held with Chief Minister, we are planning to take the decision and get it approved in SMC board.

“… Then we will think (whether) to apply for land or not, this decision will be taken in October end.”

Earlier in May, MSI had said it, along with vendors, could invest up to Rs 18,000 crore in Gujarat as it looks to produce about 20 lakh units in the long run in the state.

The company is seeking about 1,000 acres of land from the Gujarat government for its next plant, according to industry sources.

The company has already invested in developing infrastructure at Mundra port in Gujarat from where it exports A-star to Europe.

Meanwhile, talks between Maruti Suzuki India’s management and striking workers of its Manesar plant, brokered by the Haryana government, remained inconclusive yesterday and the deadlock continued for the 11th day.

“Talks remained inconclusive but it is at least a positive development that negotiations have started for the first time since the strike broke out (on October 7),” an official of Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) said.

The MSI workers have been on strike demanding the reinstatement of about 1,200 casual workers. They are also demanding that 44 permanent workers, suspended after a settlement agreement signed on October 1 to end a 33-day-long standoff, be taken back.