Bangalore, Mar 15 (UNI) The Indian operations of GE Health care was viewed as critically important to the global organisation and the company is planning significant investments to move up further, GE Health care President Joseph M Hogan said today.

Talking to newsmen here, Mr Hogan, who was on an annual visit to review Indian operations, said that nearly 15 per cent of the total manufacturing of the Company came currently from India against around seven per cent four years ago. The company reported a global turnover of USD 17 billion last year and this year it was expected to touch USD 20 billion, he added.

Mr Hogan lavishing praise on Indian talent said that the country was no longer viewed as a low cost production centre, but was being eagerly hunted for talented and skilled work force. Nearly a third of GE Health care's engineers were currently in India and the number would grow in 100s, he added. Currently GE health care had 650 engineers out of a total staff strength of 2200.

He said the company would increase its presence in the country in Biotechnology and life sciences sectors. Life Sciences delivered breakthroughs in drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing and latest in cellular technologies to enable scientists and specialists discover new ways to predict, diagnose and treat disease earlier.

With a turnover of USD 450 million, including exports to parent body, GE Health care was growing over and above the industry growth in the country, GE Health care India President V Raja said.

Mr Hogan, on GE Health care operations, said the company had three arms--Medical diagnostics, Information Technology and life sciences.

The Information Technology division alone contributed two billion dollars.

UNI