Introduction “Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.” Swami Vivekananda For a State an idea means a manifestation, the conjunction of the wish to reach out to the last person within a geographical limit and the aspiration for complete well-being. Therefore, when Swami Vivekananda speaks of an idea taking over ones very existence, for a State it would mean a well-balanced, inclusive approach, according to certain standards and ideals, where governance and modernity are intrinsic. This has been the story of the grand State of Karnataka in the past two years, under the stewardship of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. To exemplify, the State’s Capital and showcase city of Bangalore, according to the global list of cities compiled by HR Consultancy Mercer for 2010, has climbed a couple of notches and continues to be the best place to live in among Indian cities. Bangalore’s ranking is but the reflection of exemplariness and distinction Karnataka has earned within the Union of India. In the past two years the State has raked an impressive Rs. 5 lakh crore industrial growth, in spite of the global financial crisis, to remain in the forefront as one of the most-developed States in the country. Karnataka’s renewed developmental thrust in the past two years shows in its governance, driven by the technology of the times and the best practices across the globe. In a short span, the State Government has been able to make it clear on the ground that a holistic intra-State approach is the only way to emulate its own Bangalore and information technology success stories. The Government has successfully put in place the new Industrial Policy 2009-14, an effort to enhance industry’s share in the Gross State Domestic Product to 20% by 2014, generate 10 lakh jobs, double the State's exports from the current level of Rs. 1,30,000 crore, focus on providing quality infrastructure, focus on skill development and entrepreneurship, and enhance the development of micro, small and medium enterprises. It is to the Government’s credit that the Global Investors Meet 2010 has already garnered investments worth Rs 3.5 lakh crore,which in turn is expected to create 6.53 lakh employment Mangaloreopportunities. The new industrial policy is aimed at making the State Home to 700 MNCs and 87 Fortune 500 companies, Karnataka prosperous through development of human and natural is a State with varied agricultural and mineral resources, and resources in a systematic, scientific and sustainable manner. strong manufacturing capabilities. In Budget 2008-09, the State Government spelt out its intension Karnataka is one of India’s leading industrial states, contributing to implement Suvarna Karnataka Development Corridor almost 8% to the national manufacturing income. It has a long Programme embracing the entire State. Such a corridor will tradition of supporting entrepreneurs, and encouraging possibly benefit many potential areas in the Karnataka region innovation and research. Its strong and vibrant industrial base from Bangalore to Belgaum and laterals of about 50 to 1500 km combines the intrinsic strengths of large industrial public sector from the National Highway and rail network, necessary freight undertakings, large and medium privately owned industries, a corridor for trade industry. Sectors such as energy, road and rail wide range of small-scale units. While at one end of the linkages, inland container depots, free trade zones and urban spectrum, the State is the aerospace hub of the country infrastructure are the major key segments to benefit from this operating on cutting-edge engineering and IT capabilities, on the Corridor and make a significant impact on Karnataka’s economic other end, its garment sector, dominated by small units, growth. The Corridor proposes to cover 11 district contributes 20% to the national output. headquarters and more than 20 major towns along the highways/major roads and rail links. Karnataka is also the State with an impressive number of education and skill-development institutes and organisations - it has one of the highest number of medical colleges, third-highest Karnataka - The Knowledge Hub of Asia number of engineering colleges, highest number of Industrial Training Institutes in the country and is home to several premier I have a dream, a vision for this one State with Karnataka accounts for around 5% of India’s national income and research institutes of international repute. many opportunities. Vision 2020 for Karna- the State has been ranked No. 1 by the World Bank for its taka seeks to propel a holistic growth by investment climate in a study that analysed 16 States using 46 The State is the pioneer and global face for India in Aerospace promoting equitable development of sectors investment parameters. The fact that one new MNC invests in and Biotech. Brand Bangalore has become synonymous with and districts, by providing employment to all the State every week is testimony for the fact that Karnataka is cost-effective and quality solutions. While at the beginning, this sections of people and regions of the State. It will also focus on ensuring excellent the leading investment destination in the country. One of the represented off-shoring of low-end services in the BPO sector, infrastructure, quality education, decent living fastest-growing states in the country, Karnataka has a strong the latent strengths of the State has now made it the first-stop conditions and life security for all our citizens. industrial base and vibrant tertiarry sector. It’s services sector, has destination for cutting-edge research and manufacturing centres. in fact been, the engine of growth. Bangalore is the world’s fourth-largest technology cluster as it has B.S. Yeddyurappa the perfect ecosystem fostering growth and development of Chief Minister of Karnataka The reasons that make Karnataka an attractive destination for state-of-the-art technology. The city is also well known on the investors are: global medical map as one with many super-speciality hospitals providing excellent international quality health care. • Excellent infrastructure • Readily available land The Karnataka State Government has strived to provide an • Highly skilled technical manpower base investor-friendly responsive administration. The Karnataka Udyog • Large number of technical and research institutes Mitra, set up more than a decade ago, works as single contact • Techonology savvy work force with proficiency in English point for all investors - from receiving a proposal to ensuring its • Cultural diversity and cosmopolitan urban centres implementation. KUM is actively working with the investors at all • Advanced healthcare facilities stages. The State Level Single Window Clearance Committee and • Connectivity through air, rail, sea and road network integrated the State High Level Clearance Committee (for investments with the rest of the world more than Rs. 50 crore) have been working to clear proposals in • A State with effective law and order a hassle-free manner. • Liberalised economy with single window clearance for investors • Excellent logistics support The Government has put in place the all-new Karnataka State • Abundant primary resources Industrial Policy 2009-14, with various improvements over the one of 2006-11. The policy includes: destination is the State’s rich resource base and progressive • One main policy measure intended to smoothen the path for policies that have combined over the years to create a rapidly investors is the exclusive land acquisition policy and growing economy, attract global investment and make it a truly development of a Land Bank – each district to have 2,000 Global State. to3,000 acres acquired by the Karnataka Industries Development Board for industrial development. Karnataka is well set to lead the nation, showing the way through • The Suvarna Karnataka Development Corridor Initiative has effective public-private partnership. For investors in any field, the been planned to connect cities in all districts through a two primary inputs that are vital for production are land and network of highways, with cluster development in designated labour; Karnataka leads the country in both. Karnataka’s new zones. Industrial Policy 2009-14 has provided for 50,000 acres of land • Sector-specific industrial zones and SEZs have been identified across 5 industrial corridors to facilitate project implementation, that match the natural resources and capabilities of a district especially for large projects facing land acquisition issues in other with industry requirements.. States. In addition, Karnataka ranks first amongst all the States in • There is a special focus on skill development to enhance India in the labour supply ecosystem , providing access to a vast generation of technical manpower and ensure that Karnataka’s pool of skilled manpower as well as research, engineering and lead in providing skilled workforce is sustained. design capabilities in all frontier sciences, the State is in fact the • Creation of world class infrastructure through investments in Knowledge Hub of Asia. power, roads, water, warehouse and logistic facilities, connectivity through rails and ports etc. has been planned to India and Karnataka facilitate entry of investors. India’s impressive growth performance over the past decade has In addition to the regular State industrial policies, Karnataka has made it a global powerhouse today, a force to be factored in all formulated sector-specific policies – IT, Biotech, Semiconductor, the calculations of world growth and development. High Renewable Energy Policy, Suvarna Vastra Neethi for textiles, economic growth in a country that has a stable democracy and Tourism Policy. Each of these policies targets a specific sector with free market has in fact made India the cynosure of the world in incentives, concessions and development schemes that are suited the new millennium.