Davos | 20 January 2026: At the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 held in Davos, Switzerland, Unilever, a world leader in fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), expressed an interest in setting up a Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Hyderabad. India is reiterating its role as a major provider of global enterprise services and innovative solutions. The meeting was attended by senior officials from various countries and private sector representatives who gathered under the theme, “A Spirit of Dialogue” to discuss new forms of global economic cooperation.

A delegation known as “Telangana Rising,” which included Hon’ble CM Shri A Revanth Reddy, met with Willem Uijen, Chief of Supply Chain and Operations Officer at Unilever to promote the state of Telangana as an ideal place for Unilever’s upcoming growths.

“As part of the state’s new economic development strategy under Telangana Rising 2047 vision, the PURE (Peri-Urban Region Economy) between the Outer Ring Road (ORR) and the Regional Ring Road (RRR) of Hyderabad is being developed for manufacturing and logistics.”

– CM Shri A Revanth Reddy

Reasons for Hyderabad’s appeal:

  • Established GCC Environment: Several GCC’s have been established in Hyderabad for companies such as McDonald’s, Heineken and Costco, thereby making it a desirable location for all multi-national corporations looking to expand.
  • Strong Regulatory Support: Consistent, business-friendly policies from the State government have created an environment of predictable regulatory practices and streamlined approvals allowing for faster establishment of GCC’s, coupled with the ability to quickly grow the capacity of Global Capabilities over time.
  • Significant Supply Chain and Manufacturing Capacity: It has not only proposed integrating Unilever’s supply chain capabilities into their Manufacturing Operations but also providing multiple benefits through each facility within the Supply Chain.

Hon’ble Minister Shri D. Sridhar Babu said Hyderabad is home to GCCs of several FMCG companies like McDonald’s, Heineken and Costco.

“Unilever is a prized partner of Telangana. Telangana is known for policy continuity and fast-paced approval and licensing process for businesses.”

 – Shri D. Sridhar Babu

Sustainability: Aligning the Goals of Corporates and Governments

The discussions brought to light the synergy between Unilever’s commitments to the environment and those of the Telangana Government. The proposed collaboration sought to integrate Unilever’s objectives for “Water Positive” and reduction of plastics into the state’s priorities on renewable sources and responsible management of water resources as well as supporting and embracing a circular economy. These efforts are reflective of a growing trend identified by SSF Global, where GCCs are becoming important centres for sustainable growth and responsible business practices.

India’s Rapidly Growing GCC Landscape

Unilever’s inquiry into India arrives at a time when India is experiencing unprecedented growth in GCCs. To date, India has over 1,700 centres, representing approximately 55% of all GCCs worldwide. The number is expected to rise above 2,100 by 2028, and Unilever’s entry into the GCC ecosystem will further legitimize India’s transformation from a “back-office” to a centre of strategic development of AI adoption, Advanced Analytics, and Digital Transformation.

Way Forward

The talks involving Unilever and the Telangana delegation points to a mature market where the unification of technology and strategic services converge. In case it gets through, the centre in Hyderabad will probably be modern delivery capabilities focused, enabling Unilever to deal with the growingly strict global data-privacy and risk governance frameworks and at the same time increase its competitiveness globally.

Curated by SSF Global to track developments shaping the future of GCCs, enterprise ecosystems, and India’s commercial real estate landscape.

Share on   

Are you looking to set-up a GCC or expand an already existing one. Write to us and we will help you by providing the blueprint/ roadmap and SETUP solution – we are a one stop solution including end-to-end requirement for a GCC – Location, People, Process, Technology (AI) and Infrastructure.

Considering the launch or expansion of a Global Capability Centre?
Quintes Global supports enterprises with end-to-end GCC strategy and execution—from location selection and operating-model design to talent, process, AI-led technology, and infrastructure—delivering a structured blueprint for scalable, future-ready centers.

About SSF Global
SSF Global is a Global Community for Enterprise Function Leaders and serves as a research & advisory platform focused on Global Business Services (GBS), Global Capability Centres (GCCs), and the evolution of enterprise innovation in India and beyond. We track, publish, and partner in narratives that shape how capability centres transform into hubs of trust, intelligence, and sustainable growth. We also evaluate, assess and benchmark the GCCs for their performance, maturity and other parameters using our proprietary tools built from the knowledge gained from direct interaction with our members (GCCs & GBS).