Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka is expecting to sign investment commitments of about Rs 10 lakh crore with an array of industries at its biennial investor meet this week, aimed at showcasing the state's industrial potential, M B Patil, Minister of Large and Medium Scale Industries, said.
The Invest Karnataka 2025 -- Global Investors Meet (GIM 2025), scheduled from February 11-14 in Bengaluru, aims to position Karnataka as a premier global investment hub.
"We are expecting around Rs 10 lakh crore in investments, with at least 70 per cent converting into reality (and) not just (remaining) on paper," he told PTI Videos.
On the theme of the summit 'Re-Imagining Growth', Patil said this "because today we are in a stage where our world is moving towards tech-driven, green, inclusive, and more importantly, resilient growth. Because we are in a situation... (these are) challenging times. There is a war in Ukraine and Russia, then the Israel-Gaza conflict, (US President) Trump's policies, China plus one, two years (post recovery from) Covid-19, and more importantly, artificial intelligence, clean mobility coming in".
"EVs and green hydrogen will take centrestage. Diesel, petrol, and all fossil fuels will be phased out. So these are challenging times, how do you adapt to that? We have a very strong system, which has to be resilient to all these changes. So we have this investors meet in these challenging times," he said.
The inaugural session will be on February 10 at 4 pm.
"The governor will be there with his auspicious presence. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will be presiding, and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be inaugurating. Many central ministers are going to participate, some on 12th, some on 13th, and some on 14th. State ministers, industrialists, and big names will all be participating in this meet," he said.
February 12 and 13 will feature business sessions, including a semiconductor summit. On February 12 evening, there will be an award function recognising industries that have contributed to Karnataka's growth.
On February 13, there will be multiple sessions and roundtables, including the Queen's City roundtable. The event will conclude on February 14 with awards for ventures and key contributors.
As many as "19 countries are participating, with 9 of them having their pavilions here. It will be a meaningful forum, with 60+ speakers sharing insights," he said.
The minister said Karnataka is already a leader in IT, biotechnology, electronics, machine tools, aerospace, and defense. "We aim to continue leading in India and compete globally."
Karnataka, he said, has always been a fertile ground for industries to thrive. "Challenges exist, but we are addressing them. Semiconductor, AI, and automation will play a key role in industries from mobile manufacturing to heavy industries. We are unveiling an industrial policy with flexible incentives -- either production-linked or capital-based, as per investor preference."
"We are offering incentives for employment, especially for women. R&D that translates into manufacturing will get an additional 10 per cent incentive. Sustainability and green manufacturing initiatives will also receive incentives," he said, adding that a single-window portal developed by Microsoft will streamline approvals.
The portal integrates all departments, reducing approval time by half. "Everything will be available at the touch of a button, significantly improving the ease of doing business. Karnataka will be among the best states to do business," he said.
"We are open to all sectors and all countries. We are not restricted to any one industry -- our doors are open for investments across sectors and geographies," he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Ullal: The body of a 51-year-old physical education teacher was found in a well at his residence in Kondana, under the limits of Kotekar town, on Friday evening.
The deceased has been identified as Prabhakar Jogi, who was serving as a physical education teacher at the Government School in Kallarakodi, Naringana village. Police suspect that he may have died by suicide, allegedly due to health-related issues.
According to police, Prabhakar had dropped his daughter at Uchila School earlier in the day for the school anniversary programme and returned home.
He was later preparing to attend the same event along with his wife and son, when he suddenly went missing. A search was launched by family members, following which his body was found in the well located at his house.
ALSO READ: Delhi: Married man stabs lover after fight over forced abortion, arrested
Police said that Prabhakar Jogi was reportedly suffering from a neurological disorder. He had served in several schools across Ullal taluk and was actively involved in organisations of physical education teachers.
Ullal police visited the spot, conducted an inspection and sent the body for post-mortem examination.
In his complaint to the police, Prabhakar’s son, Sai Tejas, stated that his father had jumped into the well and that there was no suspicion surrounding the death.
Based on the complaint, a case has been registered and further investigation is underway.
