The Hindu Business Line : Karnataka to market investment potential in coastal districts

THE Karnataka Government is planning to market Uttara Kannada, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts as potential areas for investments in various sectors through its Coastal Investors' Meet in Karwar.

Addressing the final road show in this regard in Mangalore, the Minister for Large and Medium Scale Industries, Mr R.V. Deshpande, termed these districts as "hidden jewels" of Karnataka. Investors could unearth "hidden treasures" in various sectors in the region.

The Coastal Investors' Meet will be held on Rabindranath Tagore Beach in Karwar of Uttara Kannada district on December 20 and 21.

The meet will provide a forum for entrepreneurs to develop strategic trade alliances across functional areas and business, and create an opportunity to interact, network, and talk with decision-makers and business leaders from Karnataka, he said.

The meet will also be a forum for leaders of business, government, and non-government organisations to share assessment of ideas and visions affecting the future of trade and business in the region.

Referring to the scenario in industrial sector seven months ago, he stated recession affected the sector severely increasing the number of sick units. Investment in the sector was very low. The Minister said that manufacturing, tourism, and other sectors have shown signs of revival in the past seven months. This has given boost for investment in the State.

On infrastructure in the region, Mr Deshpande said that Konkan Railway route passes through these coastal districts. Apart from a major port in Mangalore, there are 11 minor ports. A civil airport is being planned at Karwar and the land has been acquired for Ankola-Hubli railway line. These districts are known for their human resources, and various banking institutions originated in the coastal region, he said.

There is scope for investment in areas such as tourism, agro-based industries, food processing and marine-based units, and infrastructure projects.

Terming the 21st century as the century of competition and quality, he stated that quality and consumer satisfaction are gaining importance in this arena.

Karnataka, which hosted the Global Investors' Meet two years ago, has again pioneered in hosting a Coastal Investors' Meet in Karwar, he added.

In the interaction session, Mr Deshpande was informed about the problems related to investments in the region.

The Transport Minister, Mr Ramanath Rai, said that an Export Promotion Industrial Park would come up at Ganjimath, near Mangalore Airport.

More than 200 entrepreneurs took part in the road show.

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