
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar made a strong pitch for Bengaluru at the 56th World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, branding it the "city of the future."
Addressing global business leaders on Wednesday, Shivakumar emphasized that India is often recognized globally through Bengaluru's success as the "IT Capital of Asia."
He highlighted that the city’s strength lies in its massive talent pool, noting that Bengaluru alone houses nearly 2.5 million IT professionals—nearly double the 1.3 million found in California.
Shivakumar outlined a vision for the next 25 years, during which India is expected to become the world's preferred destination for talent and investment.
He pointed to Karnataka's rapid urbanization, with the state's urban population expected to rise from 40% to 50% in the coming decades. Beyond technology, he touted the state's educational prowess, mentioning that Karnataka’s 70 medical colleges produce approximately 1.5 lakh healthcare professionals annually.
The pitch was accompanied by significant diplomatic and industrial progress. The Karnataka government signed a strategic MoU with the Swiss Indian Chamber of Commerce (SICC) to facilitate investment under the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) agreement.
High-level discussions were also held with global giants like PayPal, Bharti Enterprises, and Mistral AI, focusing on expanding data centers, R&D facilities, and artificial intelligence initiatives within the state.
Source: ANI




