Deshmukh signs MoU worth USD 200 mn with Vornado Realty in US

Mumbai, July 5 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today expressed satisfaction at the outcome of his 10-day visit to the US to promote the state as an ideal investment destination.

Addressing a news conference after his return, Mr Deshmukh said Vornado Realty Trust, a leading player in the real estate sector in United States, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government for investment of US 200 million dollars in next five years to develop townships in the state, a separate IT Park at Hinjewadi near Pune by Microsoft and a tie-up with Universal Studios to develop a Theme Park at Filmcity here on the lines of one in Hollywood.

Mr Deshmukh said the perception of India as an investment destination has grown over the years in US.

''This was my third visit to the United States as Chief Minister.

We succeeded in presenting Maharashtra as an investment-friendly state in case US investors want to come to India. Since my last visit in 2005, investment to the tune of Rs 4000-5000 crore had come into the state,'' he added.

He said Microsoft has also agreed to prepare a software specific to agriculture, school curriculam and e-governance, especially land records.

UNI