K'taka delegation woos US investors to do business

Bangalore, Sep 16: The high level delegation led by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has succeeded in wooing investors in various parts of the United States to invest in the state.

Disclosing this to newsmen here, Major and Medium Industries Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu, who formed part of the delegation, that visited the US, said the delegation had a hectic schedule during its ten day visit and called on as many investors as possible at various meetings. A number of investors had evinced keen interest to invest in Information Technology, IT enabled Services, Hardware and Tourism, especially in Bangalore and Mysore, he added.

Replying to queries he said the quantum of investment would be around Rs 2000 crore. Some of the investors would be filing their applications soon in Karnataka Udyog Mitra, a single window agency, for approval of their project proposals, he revealed.

Answering a question, he said he also felt the need to appoint an industry representative locally in the US to pursue various project proposals. A number of Kannadigas living there had shown interest in playing the constructive role for the state voluntarily. He would discuss with the Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Mr Yediyurappa in this regard soon, he added.

He said the immediate outcome of the delegation's efforts, among others, were setting up of a biotech university between Bangalore and Mysore by Genomic company that would create an employment of 1500 people with an investment of Rs 400 crore, Medi-city near Bangalore with an investment of Rs 250 crore was aimed at creating employment to 4000 people, a Semi Conductor Complex at Mysore, establishment of skill development centres by Intel in two districts of the state, Medical equipment manufacturing unit by UCA Global Incorporation and setting up of a health city on the lines of SEZ model by a famous plastic surgeon from Beverly Hills near Hoskote.

He said California Governor and former Hollywood actor Arnold Schwardzenegger would visit the state along with a big delegation during February next.

He also announced that the functioning of the single window agency would be reformed soon. Technical Consultancy Services Organisation of Karnataka (TECSOK) had been appointed to conduct the study and submit its report within a month in this regarded. The agency had cleared projects worth over Rs 1.35,000 crore during last one decade, he added.

UNI