Karnataka woos investors in aerospace, defence
Minister Nirani highlights Karnataka’s tech strengths at Dubai Expo
DUBAI:
Highlighting its dominant position in the aerospace and defence sectors, the Karnataka government made a strong pitch for more foreign investments in these sectors at the World Dubai Expo 2020 here.
Delivering a keynote address during the session on ‘Opportunities in Aerospace, Defence and Space Sectors of Karnataka’ at the expo on Sunday, Large and Medium Industries Minister said the state has great potential in these sectors. “Karnataka, apart from being India’s largest aerospace cluster, is also the second largest producer of heavy electrical machinery in India. Bengaluru alone produces around 60% of machine tools in India. Our state is also the 2nd largest chip design hub in the country. We have set up a Centre of Excellence in partnership with Dassault Systems to provide industry-ready manpower,” Nirani said.
Strong SME base
Highlighting the thriving small-scale industries, many of which are auxiliary to the aerospace and defence sectors, the Minister said the state is providing a support system to push these sectors. “Karnataka has a strong base of around 2,000 SMEs that carry out niche sub-contracting work in the aerospace and defence sectors. Therefore, the well-developed support system for these sectors has further facilitated the expansion of this industry while also attracting global players to set up base in our state,” Nirani said.
Delighted to be at Dubai Expo 2020, a wonderful platform to showcase #Karnataka's potential. Shri EV Ramana Reddy @ACSIC_GOK, Smt Gunjan Krishna, @CommIndustries, KIADB chief N Shivashankara, @D_Roopa_IPS and others were present. pic.twitter.com/VUHEXiggMa
— Murugesh R Nirani (@NiraniMurugesh) October 17, 2021
Meetings with biz teams
Earlier, the Minister held a series of Business to Government (B2G) meetings with business delegations of top companies at the Karnataka Pavilion. Among them were a meeting with a United Parcel Service (UPS) team headed by Rachid Fergati, Managing Director, Middle East and Indian Sub-continent, and Christina Struller, Vice-President public policy.
It was pleasure meeting Shri Baderuddin Panakkat of Business Network Consulting, Shri Najeeb Kadiri, Chairman of Kadris group and Smt Arti Krishna, former chairperson of NEI cell in Dubai. Discussed investment opportunities in our state with the business leaders. #Expo2020Dubai pic.twitter.com/uejCorYCNs
— Murugesh R Nirani (@NiraniMurugesh) October 17, 2021
Nirani held talks with Dawood al Shezawi, President, Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) and Walid Farghal, AIM Director-General. AIM is an initiative of the UAE Ministry of Economy aimed at global exchange for the purpose of inclusive global growth.
K’taka aims to become an integral part of global supply chain. Discussed global supply chain solutions, e-comm among others during my meeting with @UPS delegation. Mr. @rachid_fergati, MD, Middle East & Indian Subcontinent & @christina_stru, VP, Public Affairs, ISMEA were there. pic.twitter.com/hx0eSGccKQ
— Murugesh R Nirani (@NiraniMurugesh) October 17, 2021
The Minister also met Salim MA, Director, Ashraf Ali MA, Executive Director, and Ananth AV, Director, India and Oman, of the Lulu group, and an Export Bahrain delegation headed by Safa Abdul Khaliq, CEO, Ali Ahmed, Planning & Marketing Intelligence Manager, and Fatima, Development Manager. Nirani also met M Chandan Ghatak, CFO, Taghleef Industries, one of the largest global manufacturers of BoPP films used for, among other things, food packaging.
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