Calcutta, April 28: Ericsson, the world’s largest provider of technology and services to telecom companies, would hire 400 people in the city in the next few months.

The company, which supports over 185 million subscribers, opened its Calcutta centre at Globsyn Crystals for high-end project management and technical work.

Mats Granryd, the managing director of Ericsson’s India and Sri Lanka operations, was part of a top Swedish industry delegation — the first such team to the city.

“We had a very productive and fruitful meeting with the chief minister and the industries minister. The companies were apprised of the scenario in the city. A lot of them are on the expansion mode and this would help them consider Calcutta as one of their investment destinations,” said Aloke Mookherjea, the Swedish consul in the city.

However, representatives of all the companies pointed out the need for infrastructure, especially airports and ports with minimum turnaround time and facilities like international schools.

IFS Solutions, an IT solutions company, wants to set up a centre in Calcutta.

“The Ericsson centre proves the quality of manpower available in the state,” IT minister Debesh Das said.

The companies represented today employ over 1 lakh people in India.

Home accessories and furnishing company Ikea, which has 265 stores worldwide, plans to open 20 stores in India.

Volvo and ABB said they now had a much better idea about the city and would discuss investment and co-operation opportunities with their boards.