Google set to invest $10 bln in India
Google chief Sundar Pichai had a web call with India's prime minister on Monday (July 13).
It was part of the company’s annual ‘Google for India’ event.
And saw the search giant announce it would invest 10 billion dollars in the country:
"We will do this through a mix of equity investments, partnerships and operational infrastructure in ecosystem investments. This is a reflection of our confidence in the future of India and its digital economy.”
The spending Pichai announced will come over the next five to seven years.
It’s Google’s largest investment yet in India.
And marks a big commitment to one of the search giant’s key growth markets.
Google currently has 500 million active users in the country, and Pichai says he wants to help get the same number again online.
As part of the investment it will work with manufacturers to develop low-cost devices that allow internet access.
The money will also go on artificial intelligence and education projects in India.
Google has already invested in some Indian startups, including food delivery app Dunzo.
Pichai is himself Indian-born. He replaced cofounder Larry Page as CEO of Alphabet last year.
