Siddaramaiah takes a step ahead, pitches for 'Make in Karnataka'

Lures global aerospace majors saying the state has the best eco-system for the sector

Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going around the world with his ‘Make in India’ campaign to invite global investments into the country, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday tried to attract global aerospace majors with his own ‘Make in Karnataka’ initiative.

Speaking here at the inauguration of the 10th edition of Aero India, the international expo on aerospace manufacturing, defence production and engineering at Yelahanka Air Force Station, he said Karnataka is the best place to invest in the aerospace sector. The state offers enormous investment opportunities as it has the best eco-system for the aerospace sector, he said.

Addressing around 500 investors, heads of aerospace companies, defence ministers of neighbouring countries and chiefs of armed forces at Yelahanka, the chief minister said, “We would be happy to welcome investors to the state for utilising the opportunity in the aerospace sector and be part of Make in Karnataka.”

Karnataka has a long tradition of being an aerospace hub with the presence of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, besides other defence public sector units such as BEL, GTRE, NAL, DRDO, etc. The state also has the presence of leading private sector players like EADS, Boeing, Airbus, he added.

Siddaramiah said, “Karnataka has a high potential for aerospace industries due to its strength and advantages like relatively low-cost aerospace manufacturing, presence of public sector undertakings large number of small and medium enterprises.”

The chief minister said Karnataka was the first state in the country to develop sector specific Aerospace Park at Devanhalli on the outskirts of Bengaluru spread over 984 acres, including a special economic zone. The state has also established the country’s first private aerospace SEZ in Belgaum.

Siddaramaiah said the state government has taken number of initiatives for the development of industrial infrastructure in Karnataka. A number of industrial areas have been developed, located in Narasapura, Vemagal, Gauribidanur, Dobaspet, Mammigatti, Gamangatti, Kittur, Yadgir and Tandya.

In addition, a National Investment and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZs) with 12,500 acres of land is approved by the Centre at Vasanthanarasapura in Tumkur, he said. The chief minister also said the state has launched e-udyami, an online-based one stop shop for all prospective investors, which allow all investors, independent of their location to apply for investments in Karnataka and monitor the status of their project.

The Karnataka government has also come out with the new Industrial Policy 2014-19, which lays emphasis on providing good infrastructure support for establishment of industries.

“The policy aims at holistic development of the state to look beyond Bengaluru, with a view to decongest the city and equitable distribution of industries all over Karnataka,” Siddaramaiah said.

The policy also proposes to encourage private investment in establishing industrial areas or estates either independently or through public private partnership mode.

The chief minister said, “We are making all efforts to trigger industrial growth in the state by developing special industrial corridor projects like Chennai–Bengaluru-Chitradurga Industrial Corridor (CBCIC) and Bengaluru-Mumbai Economic Corridor (BMEC).”