Davos summit boosts Karnataka investment pipeline with Rs 13,070 cr in commitments

Vartha Bharati | 24-01-2026 | 20:07:00 IST

Bengaluru (PTI): The World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos has emerged as a catalyst for Karnataka's economic growth, with the state securing investment commitments worth Rs 13,070 crore across sectors including renewable energy, aerospace, data centres, food processing and advanced manufacturing, Industries Minister M B Patil said.

Addressing the media after returning from the summit, Patil said more than 45 meetings and consultations held over five days helped position Karnataka as a preferred global destination for artificial intelligence, Global Capability Centres (GCCs), research and sustainable urban development.

The discussions at Davos have not only laid the foundation for fresh investment inflows but have also accelerated projects already under implementation, the minister said, adding that global companies had praised Karnataka's industry-friendly policies and availability of skilled manpower.

A significant portion of the commitments came from the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, which plans to invest Rs 10,500 crore over the next three years in Vijayapura and Ballari districts, providing a major boost to renewable energy development in north Karnataka.

Global brewer Carlsberg Group reiterated its plan to set up a Rs 350 crore bottling plant at Nanjangudu, while Schneider Electric proposed investments of Rs 1,520 crore, including in IT operations. INOX GFL, which has already invested Rs 10,000 crore in the state and commenced turbine blade manufacturing at Kushtagi, will invest an additional Rs 400 crore to manufacture wind power towers and solar panels.

Belrise Industries plans to invest Rs 300 crore to expand its Mysuru facility, which supplies components to TVS Motor Co.

Patil said discussions were held with the Singapore Economic Development Board on setting up a 'Singapore Park' in Karnataka to attract Singapore-based companies. The state is also seeking to attract a significant share of Coca-Cola's proposed Rs 25,760 crore investment in India.

Several global companies expressed interest in expanding operations in Karnataka. Nokia, US-based Vast Space, UAE-based Crescent Enterprises and Voyager Technologies indicated interest in investing in the state, while Bharti Enterprises said it was keen on setting up a new data centre, adding to its existing investments of around Rs 13,000 crore.

France-based Mistral AI expressed interest in establishing a phased research and development centre in Bengaluru, while US-based Philip Morris indicated its intent to manufacture smoke-free products in Karnataka.

Bharat Forge Ltd sought details on investment opportunities, the minister said.

Nokia has shown interest in establishing a Global Capability Centre and research facilities in the state. In line with the government's focus on developing self-sustaining urban centres beyond Bengaluru, Tech Mahindra expressed interest in expanding operations into Tier-2 cities. Sify Technologies said it would soon launch a data centre in Karnataka.

The state's flagship 'KWIN City' project, planned between Dabaspet and Doddaballapur, also drew strong interest. Imperial College London has proposed setting up a research and development centre in the city, while global cybersecurity firm Cloudflare is considering becoming part of the project.

US-based Voyager Technologies and space company Vast Space have expressed interest in partnership agreements with the state government, while UAE-based Crescent Enterprises is exploring investments across multiple sectors in Karnataka. An MoU was signed at Davos to facilitate Swiss companies seeking to leverage the state's innovation-driven ecosystem.

Patil said the engagements at Davos would help Karnataka strengthen its competitive position amid global industrial transformation and deepen bilateral trade ties with key economies.

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Housing drive aims to bring slum dwellers to mainstream: CM Siddaramaiah

24-01-2026 ¦ 24-01-2026 IST

Hubballi(PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said his government is distributing houses on a large scale to ensure that slum dwellers are brought into the mainstream.

The CM was speaking at a mega event organised for dedication of 42,345 houses out of 1,80,253 houses being constructed across the State under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana 'Shelter for All' through grant-in-aid of Chief Minister, and distribution of house allotment letters or title deeds on the occasion of golden jubilee celebration of the Slum Development Board.

Recalling his earlier tenure, he said, "When I was the Chief Minister for the first time (2013-18), our Congress government had built 14,58,000 houses and created history and we had brought about a housing revolution. After becoming the CM for the second time (in 2023), after distributing 36,789 houses in the first phase in 2024, our government is distributing 45,000 houses in the second phase."

"We have fulfilled our promises," he said, hitting out at the BJP and the Centre.

Claiming that his government provides Rs 4 to 5 lakh for a house, but the central government contributes less than Rs one lakh, the CM said, "But the name of the scheme is Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The money is ours, the state government's. Only the name is the Centre's."

After the Congress government came to power, it has spent Rs 5,500 crore on housing in two years, he added.

Dismissing BJP's claims that the government's coffers are empty, the CM said, "We are giving Rs 2,500 crore as subsidy every year for farmers' pump sets. In addition, we are releasing a lot of money for social security schemes including widow's pension, old age pension."

Earlier in the day, installing a cutout of political leaders for the event, a cutout accidentally fell, and three people were injured, and they are receiving treatment at the Hospital in the city.

The CM visited the injured at the hospital after the event.

Expressing regret over the incident, Siddaramaiah directed the officials to provide the injured with the best possible treatment and medicines free of cost until they recover completely, his office said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the BJP held a protest in the city, accusing the government of "violating the protocol" and neglecting the opposition party leaders from the government event.