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The Centre must ensure a level-playing field for Karnataka, the torchbearer of India's IT ecosystem, in semiconductor manufacturing investments compared to states like Gujarat and Assam, Karnataka's IT/BT minister Priyank Kharge told ET ahead of the three-day Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) beginning Tuesday. The minister has often expressed his frustration and accused the Centre of using political influence to divert semiconductor investments away from Karnataka. "I'm not saying that other ecosystems don't deserve support, but who deserves it the most? It's not just about Karnataka; it's about the nation becoming a manufacturing hub.
It's about India becoming an economic superpower and leading in technologies." Kharge also said that it's disheartening that states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and to some extent, even Maharashtra, are getting the raw deal. Criticising the Centre's Make in India initiative launched in 2014, Kharge said, "it has failed miserably," and the country's manufacturing output has been the lowest despite all the grand slogans.
"We have also failed to capitalise on the China Plus One strategy , where the US and European countries are seeking alternatives to China," he said, adding that India currently lacks a strong local manufacturing ecosystem. "To build this ecosystem, we need to acknowledge that there's a learning curve. We must be willing to invest and 'bleed' a little to acquire the necessary skill sets.
" The minister also went on to add that India banning Chinese imports "only to reintroduce them years later through the back door reflects knee-jerk political reactions that hurt long-term goals." Web Development C++ Fundamentals for Absolute Beginners By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrow's Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development Django & PostgreSQL Mastery: Build Professional Web Applications By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Tabnine AI Masterclass: Optimize Your Coding Efficiency By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Microsoft Word Mastery: From Beginner to Expert By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Leadership Validating Your Startup Idea: Steps to Ensure Market Fit By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) ChatGPT Mastery from Zero to Hero: The Complete AI Course By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Finance Tally Prime & GST Accounting: Complete Guide By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Finance Startup Fundraising: Essential Tactics for Securing Capital By - Dr.
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"For instance, GlobalFoundries and Boeing run significant software operations here, and it's only a matter of time before they see the advantage of shifting hardware manufacturing to India," he added. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories Karnataka is also looking at developing sister-city partnerships and building specific corridors with global cities. "With San Francisco, we might look at the Bay Area.
It's a hub for startups, with strong ecosystems for incubation, venture capital access, and market connections," he said. Similarly, the state wants to tie up with Australia for its skill-specific programmes as they are strong in maritime tech. "We aim to create dedicated corridors to link Karnataka with such ecosystems, building specific engagement with countries like Australia for their expertise.
" Preparing Karnataka for the GCC Boom The state government, in September, unveiled the draft Global Capability Centres (GCC) Policy 2024-2029, targeting 500 new centres by 2029, making Karnataka the first state in the country to launch a dedicated GCC policy to attract investments in the sector. Kharge said that post the draft, many MNCs have shown strong interest in establishing their offices in Karnataka. "We're also introducing concepts like incubators and providing comprehensive support through a dedicated GCC playbook.
This includes hand-holding centres through every stage, from securing real estate to reskilling talent," he said. The state government is creating a separate vertical within the department specifically to assist GCCs, ensuring seamless collaboration and growth-onboarding a private consultation firm. With Karnataka's IT policy (2020-25) expiring next year, the government is planning a massive consultation process, "because the current framework requires a significant overhaul," said Kharge.
"Our focus must be on fast-tracking for the next decade rather than applying band-aid solutions. This includes preparing for advancements in AI, quantum computing, cybersecurity, the bioeconomy, biomanufacturing, biotechnology, and genetics-all of which are evolving rapidly.".
