Karnataka

State capital Bengaluru has come up as the 4th largest technology cluster in the world after the Bay Area, Boston, and London.

Last updated: March 8, 2024

Karnataka is a leader in India’s technology sector, both in terms of investments and exports

The state has a coastline of 300 km with 10 minor ports and one major port in Mangaluru

Karnataka stands 4th in merchandise exports in the national export basket

Karnataka ranked #3 in Export Preparedness Index 2021

State is ranked #8 in National Logistics Index 2021

Karnataka emerged as one of the Best Performers in the State Startup Ranking 2021

Bengaluru

Largest

software exporter in India

Largest

producer of aerospace and defence equipment in India

Largest

producer of coffee in India

380

biotech firms, 194 biotech startups out of India's 950 biotech entities are in Karnataka.

Highest

number of total biotech companies in India

Largest

Chip design hub in India

The Information Technology Policy 2020- 2025

The policy aims to create an ecosystem of sustainable growth, and elevate local capabilities in Innovation, Research & Development, and Advanced Manufacturing to the global level.
Karnataka Startup Policy 2015-2020

To give wings to startups in the state through strategic investment & policy interventions by leveraging the robust innovation climate in Bengaluru.
Special Incentives Scheme for ESDM Sector - 2020-25

This will help offer special incentives for ESDM sector investments that are geographically broad based and encompassing the entire State.
Karnataka Aerospace Policy 2013-2023

Institutions such as BEML, BHEL, GTRE, NAL, DRDO, ADA, ADE, ISRO, IISc, among others, has positioned Karnataka as a prime location for Aerospace industry in India.

Karnataka Agribusiness & Food Processing Policy 2015

The State is home to big players such as ITC, Nestle, Gujarat Ambuja, Britannia, Parle, Cargill India etc.in the agribusiness and food processing sector.
Karnataka Biotechnology Policy 2017 – 2022

Karnataka was the first State in the country to introduce a Policy on Bio-Technology, when the Bio-Tech sector was in a nascent stage.
Karnataka Industrial Policy 2020-25

The policy aims to maintain an industrial growth rate of 12 % per annum and enhance the contribution of manufacturing sector to the State GDP.
Karnataka ICT Policy 2011

The policy aims to retain Karnataka's position as the state with the largest skilled workforce in India for IT services. 
Karnataka Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage Policy 2017

The first state to roll out a comprehensive EV policy.

Karnataka Mineral Policy

Karnataka is one of the mineral rich states in India, with an area of 1.92 lakh sq.km. covering 29 districts.
Karnataka Minor Ports Development Policy

To develop strong infrastructure and the ability to meet the increasing demands of a rapidly growingeconomy to address the rising import and export traffic. 
NRI Policy of Karnataka

The vision of this policy is to play a catalytic role in building sustainable linkages between the Karnataka State and Non-Resident Indians/ Kannadigas across the globe, to build a progressive, vibrant and prosperous Karnataka.
PPP Policy for Infrastructure Projects 2018

The PPP Policy for Infrastructure Projects, 2018 envisages to increase the quality and quantity of infrastructure through the implementation of a multi-year infrastructure agenda.
Retail Trade Policy of Karnataka 2015

India is one of the fastest growing retail markets in the world, with 1.2 billion people.
Karnataka Semiconductor Policy 2010

sets out a series of measures and initiatives that should be taken by the Government of Karnataka (GoK) to attract significant investments to Karnataka in the semiconductor space.
State Policy for Special Economic Zones 2009

The SEZs are specifically treated as duty free enclaves for the purpose of industrial, service and trade operations with exemption from customs duties and a more liberal regime on levies, foreign investment and other transactions.
State Solar Policy 2014-2021

The policy will come into effect from 2014 and shall remain in force until 2021 or till such time any changes are made by the State Government.
Karnataka Tourism Policy 2020-2025

The Policy provides a framework for Karnataka’s tourism industry to overcome the ongoing difficulties, adapt to the new normal and remain healthy and competitive in the global tourism landscape.

Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics Policy 2017-2022

Karnataka is popularly known as the IT hub of India and has drawn a vast age of population into the animation and gaming industry.

ebiz Karnataka

+91-80-22282392; 22285659; 22286632

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Karnataka has an enduring tradition of tapping technology to trace a steady growth curve across diverse sectors of the economy - earning the enviable tag of being the most technology savvy State. KUM is the investment promotion and facilitation agency of the State Government, works on the model of a Single Window Clearance mechanism.

Invest Karnataka

+91-80-22282392

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Invest Karnataka aims to create a platform for the best minds to meet, exchange ideas and drive forward the state's vision of prosperity for all.

Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association

+91-80-23353250; 2335 8698

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KASSIA is a premier voluntary state level non Government Institution of Small Scale Industrialists.

Bangalore Chamber of Industry & Commerce

+91-80-22223321/24/25

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BCIC (earlier known as Greater Mysore Chamber of Industry (GMCI)) is the Apex Chamber of Commerce representing large and medium industries in the State of Karnataka.

Visvesvaraya Trade Promotion Centre

+91-80-22210644

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The State has an illustrious history of having successfully introduced several industrial and technological initiatives.

Key Investment Agency

Key Growth Sectors

Here are the leading sectors with opportunities for foreign investors

Automobile
Automobile Components
Aviation
Biotechnology
Capital Goods
Chemicals
Construction
Defence Manufacturing
Electrical Machinery
Electronic Systems
Food Processing
Healthcare
IT and BPM
Media and Entertainment
Mining
Oil and Natural Gas
Pharmaceuticals
Ports and Shipping
Renewable Energy
Space
Telecom
Textiles and Garments
Tourism

Key Investors

IBM has successfully operated in Karnataka for nearly 15 years now.

Honda Motor opened its fourth assembly line at the Narasapura plant near Bengaluru

Arcelor Mittal to set up a 6m tonnes steel plant with a 750 MW power plant

DreamWorks runs a studio out of Bengaluru where it operates animation works

Rolls-Royce runs engineering operation out of Bengaluru that supports its global activities

Investment Opportunities

Aerospace SEZ

coming up near Bengaluru International Airport, spread over 385 ha of land

Smart Cities Mission

has selected Bengaluru, Mangalore, Belgaum, Shimoga, Hubli-Dharwad, Tumkur, and Davangere

Greenfield airports

coming up at Shimoga, Bijapur, Hassan and Gulbarga through the PPP model

IT Investment Region

over 4,258 ha, near the international airport, expected to bring in US$20b investment

Sea Port

at Tadadi in Uttara Kannada District, at an estimated cost of US$584m to increase trade

CBG Plant

with a production capacity of 10.2 TPD is to be established in the Bagalkot District.

For more information please click these links
CDRI ISO

State Attractions

One of the most famous landmarks of Bangalore, the Vidhana Soudha houses the State Legislature and the Secretariat of Karnataka.
Chariot festival of Krishna in Udupi
Mysore Palace lit up during Dasara.
Vittala Temple Stone Chariot, Hampi, Karnataka
A stunning view of the Jog Falls, one of the highest plunge waterfalls in India.

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