Invest beyond Bengaluru, CM tells Czech delegation

Bengaluru: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday urged Czech companies to expand their investments beyond Bengaluru to other districts of Karnataka, assuring them of the State government’s support in identifying suitable locations and facilitating approvals.

A delegation led by Czech Republic Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlicek met Shivakumar at Vidhana Soudha and held discussions on potential investment and cooperation in key sectors. “Karnataka can become a long-term partner for the Czech Republic. We are among the leading States in agriculture, forestry, horticulture and floriculture, and invite Czech companies to consider Karnataka as an investment destination,” the Chief Minister said.

Highlighting opportunities in the energy sector, he said Karnataka was home to some of the country’s largest solar power plants and oldest hydropower facilities. Given the State’s substantial energy requirements, he said there was considerable scope for investment. Shivakumar also invited Czech companies to explore opportunities in automobile components, electric vehicles, next-generation mobility, testing, specialised manufacturing, aerospace and defence.

He said Bengaluru was one of India’s leading centres for technology, research and entrepreneurship, supported by engineering talent, an industrial base and a strong start-up ecosystem. These strengths, he said, could provide Czech companies with a platform to expand their presence in India. The Chief Minister said the State government, through Invest Karnataka, Karnataka Udyog Mitra, the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) and its single-window clearance system, would help interested companies assess locations, understand approval requirements and connect with relevant departments.

He added that Karnataka aimed to attract investments that brought new technology, strengthened local industries, created quality jobs and supported exports. Shivakumar also called for stronger cooperation between Czech technical universities, research institutions and Karnataka’s universities and industries. Such partnerships, he said, could promote applied research, skill development and the commercialisation of emerging technologies.

Referring to the India-Czech Republic Strategic Partnership on Innovation agreed upon in January 2024, he said the framework offered scope for closer collaboration in research, emerging technologies, industrial innovation and start-up networks.He also highlighted the potential for cooperation involving Czech companies such as Skoda Auto, Bata and Doosan Skoda Power in manufacturing, engineering, sourcing and research. Citing the Tata AutoComp–Skoda Group partnership in railway components, he said similar collaborations could be explored with Karnataka-based companies.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that stronger business and institutional ties would open new avenues for long-term cooperation between Karnataka and the Czech Republic.

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