Bengaluru: At the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Karnataka’s Minister for Large and Medium Industries, MB Patil, has stepped up efforts to attract a significant share of Coca-Cola’s proposed ₹25,760 crore investment into the state, while placing special emphasis on Vijayapura district—his home district—as a potential industrial destination.
During a meeting with Michael Goltzman, Senior Vice President – Global Policy and Sustainability, Coca-Cola, on the opening day of the Davos summit, Patil underlined Karnataka’s readiness to offer full policy support, infrastructure facilitation, and incentives to ensure a major portion of the investment flows into the state.
Vijayapura pitched as a natural choice
While pitching Karnataka as a whole, the minister specifically highlighted Vijayapura district as being well-suited for beverage manufacturing and food processing units, citing the availability of sustainable water resources, agri-based raw materials, and logistical advantages. Officials said Patil urged the company to consider Vijayapura as a priority location while finalising its investment plans.
Karnataka’s investment ecosystem showcased
Leading a high-level state delegation, the minister also met executives from several global and Indian conglomerates, outlining Karnataka’s subsidy structure, ease-of-doing-business reforms, and sector-specific incentives aimed at attracting new investments and facilitating expansion.
The delegation held discussions with senior representatives of Menzies Aviation, UPL Limited, AB InBev, Tata Sons, and Natural Fiber Welding (NFW Earth), among others.
Expansion plans and sectoral interest
Menzies Aviation indicated plans to invest ₹85 crore in ground-handling operations at Kempegowda International Airport, subject to securing the tender, and expressed interest in setting up a Centre of Excellence and Global Capability Centre in Karnataka.
UPL Limited conveyed its interest in expanding operations in agricultural solutions and irrigation technologies in the state. The company also explored opportunities in value-added maize-based products for export, along with the possibility of establishing an ethanol production facility.
AB InBev signalled its intent to further expand its footprint in Karnataka, while Natural Fiber Welding (NFW Earth) assured the delegation that it would share a detailed project proposal with the state government.
Strong push from the state delegation
Patil said Karnataka was being positioned as a preferred destination not only for manufacturing but also as a testing ground for emerging technologies showcased at the World Economic Forum. The delegation also exchanged views on future expansion plans of Tata Sons within the state.
Senior officials including Urban Development Additional Chief Secretary Tushar Giri Nath, Industries Principal Secretary Selvakumar, BDA Commissioner P Manivannan, Industries Commissioner Gunjan Krishna, and Invest Karnataka Managing Director Doddabasavaraju were part of the delegation.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ಸ್ವಗ್ರಾಮ ವಿಜಯಪುರಕ್ಕೆ ಜಾಗತಿಕ ಹೂಡಿಕೆ ತರಲು ಎಂ.ಬಿ.ಪಾಟೀಲ ದಾವೋಸ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಬಲವಾದ ಬ್ಯಾಟಿಂಗ್
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