Karnataka Govt to Establish 3 Dedicated Global Innovation Districts: CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday announced that State government would establish three dedicated global innovation districts in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Belagavi.

"se will be dedicated parks for GCCs (Global Capability Centres) to set up shop here in state," he said after inaugurating 27th edition of Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) here.

He noted that State h recently launched India's first dedicated Global Capability Centres (GCC) policy, aimed at empowering and supporting se centres.

three-day tech conclave is organised by State government's Department of Electronics, IT and BT, with Australia being official country-partner for event.

Chief Minister said Bengaluru Global Innovation District will be part of Knowledge, Well-being, and Innovation City (KWIN City), which will serve as a global hub for innovation and research.

"Our state is a preferred destination for GCCs, thanks to its unmatched engineering talent and highest number of AI professionals globally. This will furr be strengned by our initiatives under 'NIPUNA Karnataka' which will be a program designed to create industry-rey workforce," he said.

Talking about five MoUs signed at tech summit with Microsoft, Intel, Accenture, IBM and BFSI Consortium, he said: "y are going to skill one lakh individuals in state of Karnataka." "Through a cluster-based approach, we are driving balanced regional growth, from Mangaluru's fintech leership and Hubballi-Dharw's vancements in EVs (electric vehicles) and drones - to Mysuru being a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) cluster," Siddaramaiah said.

"We are tailoring policies and infrastructure to harness regional strengths and attract investments to emerging clusters also along with our focus on Bengaluru," he said.

Stressing that government has me significant investments in physical and digital infrastructure to bolster tech-driven sectors, Chief Minister said, "Initiatives like 'Namma Grama Namma Raste' program for rural connectivity and Special Development Program are enhancing accessibility and economic opportunities across Karnataka." "We believe in extending benefits of growth beyond tech sector through programs like ‘Beyond Bengaluru,’ which bring technology to rural areas, increase agricultural productivity, and improve e-education for students and positively impact delivery of all citizen services," he said.

Siddaramaiah noted that Karnataka’s startup ecosystem has seen remarkable growth, with an 18.2 per cent increase from 2022 to 2023, totaling 3,036 startups and making state a leer with 8.7 per cent of India’s total startups.

"This success reflects our strong support and vibrant opportunities for entrepreneurs. Our collaboration with Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) has connected more than 200 startups with 100 funding firms, providing capital, mentorship, and growth opportunities," he said.

Chief Minister also said an Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) would be set up in Kochanahalli near Mysuru, which will strengn Karnataka’s role in global semiconductor industry, creating jobs and driving economic growth in both urban and rural regions.

According to officials, BTS 2024 is hosting delegations from over 15 countries, including USA, Australia, UK and France. se high-level delegations, featuring government officials, industry leers, and innovators, will enrich summit with diverse perspectives and collaborative opportunities, y said.

summit features a multi-stage conference across six tracks: IT, Deep tech and Trends, Biotech and Health Tech, Startup Ecosystem, Global Innovation Alliance, India-USA Tech Conclave, and newly introduced Electro-Semicon track, officials ded.