Investors in Bengaluru Have Only Gained, Never Lost: DK Shivakumar at ‘Bridge to Bengaluru’ Meet in Delhi

Reflecting on Karnataka’s growth journey, Shivakumar noted his long association with the state government spanning over 35 years. He recalled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s observation two decades ago that global leaders would first visit Bengaluru before exploring other parts of India—a trend that continues today. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also described Bengaluru as a global city.

Referring to his recent participation in the World Economic Forum at Davos, Shivakumar said that while several agreements were expected to be signed, he and Industries Minister M.B. Patil chose to prioritise discussions with global leaders and officials. “The world is looking at India through Bengaluru,” he remarked.

Highlighting the state’s human resource strength, he said Karnataka produces nearly 1.5 lakh engineers annually from over 250 engineering colleges, along with 14,000 doctors from around 70 medical colleges. “The quality of talent in Karnataka is unmatched and cannot be compared with other regions,” he asserted.

Shivakumar also underscored Bengaluru’s historical and technological leadership, noting that the city received electricity as early as 1904, ahead of Delhi. “Whether it is technology, aerospace, innovation, or startups, Bengaluru continues to remain at the forefront,” he said, urging stakeholders to collaborate and leverage the state’s progressive policies.

Addressing infrastructure concerns, he acknowledged traffic congestion but said the government is undertaking major projects including tunnel roads and flyovers. “Trust us, we are committed to improving the city’s infrastructure,” he assured.

On governance, Shivakumar stressed that Karnataka maintains a stable administration and is committed to cooperative federalism. “Despite political differences with the Centre, we work together in the interest of the nation and remain committed to supporting investors,” he said.

He further highlighted that Bengaluru ranks as the fourth-largest technology cluster globally. “While Silicon Valley has around 13 lakh engineers, Karnataka has over 26 lakh engineering professionals. Bengaluru also hosts around 2 lakh foreign passport holders—higher than many other cities, including Delhi,” he added.

Inviting investors and stakeholders, Shivakumar concluded, “Come to Bengaluru, let us work together and build a better future.”