Amazon Plans To Create 1 Million Jobs In India

E-commerce major Amazon, on Friday, said that it plans to create 1 million new jobs in India — Amazon’s most important market outside of the US, over the next five years through investments in technology, infrastructure, and logistics network. Before this, the online retail giant had committed $5.5 billion in investments in India.

"Amazon plans to create one million new jobs in India by 2025," the company said in an official statement, adding that, "the jobs - created both directly and indirectly will be across industries, including information technology, skill development, content creation, retail, logistics, and manufacturing."

"Amazon's job creation commitment and investment in traders and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) complement this social inclusion and social mobility efforts by creating more opportunities for people in India to find employment, build skills, and expand entrepreneurship opportunities," the statement further said.

"Amazon hopes that this investment will expose the world to the 'Make in India' products that represent India’s rich, diverse culture." The $1 billion investment would be to digitize 10 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and traders in India, including manufacturers, resellers, local offline shops, and brands.

Bezos, who began a three-day visit to India on Tuesday by visiting Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Rajghat, spoke at the SMBhav summit — an Amazon India gathering for small and medium businesses, "The 21st century will be the Indian century."

"This country has something special, its dynamism. I also predict that the most important alliance in the 21st century will be between India and the United States," the Amazon founder added.

Bezos is expected to meet top government functionaries and business leaders during the trip. On the other hand, the Competition Commission of India has initiated a formal investigation into alleged deep discounts, preferential listing and exclusionary tactics adopted by Amazon and Flipkart. This investigation comes after small store owners demonstrating against online retailers that are driving them out of business by offering sharply discounted products.