₹25,760 crore Coca-Cola investment push leads Karnataka’s Davos outreach

Davos

Coca-Cola’s proposed ₹25,760 crore investment in India dominated Karnataka’s engagement with global corporations at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, with Industries Minister M B Patil making a strong pitch to attract a substantial share of the capital to the State.

On the first day of the WEF summit, Patil held discussions with Michael Goltzman, Senior Vice-President (Global Policy and Sustainability) of Coca-Cola, and assured him of the State government’s full support, incentives and facilitation to position Karnataka as a preferred investment destination.

Highlighting Vijayapura district as a suitable hub for beverage manufacturing and food processing units, the Minister pointed to the availability of water in sustainable quantities required for such industries. He urged the company to prioritise the district while finalising its India investment plans.

Leading a high-level State delegation, Patil also met representatives of major Indian and multinational corporations to outline Karnataka’s industrial policies, subsidies and incentives aimed at industrial expansion.

Menzies Aviation said it would invest ₹85 crore if it secures the ground-handling tender at Kempegowda International Airport and is exploring the setting up of centres of excellence and global capability centres in the State. UPL Limited expressed interest in expanding its operations in Karnataka, including agricultural solutions and irrigation technologies, and discussed the production of value-added maize-based products for export and the possibility of setting up an ethanol plant.

AB InBev indicated a clear intent to expand its operations in Karnataka. Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran and representatives of Natural Fiber Welding (NFW Earth) also discussed future investment proposals with the delegation.

Urban Development Department Additional Chief Secretary Tushar Girinath, Industries Department Principal Secretary Selvakumar, BDA Commissioner Manivannan, Industries Commissioner Gunjan Krishna and Invest Karnataka Managing Director Dodda Basavaraju were part of the delegation.