Digital infrastructure firms Sify Technologies and Bharti Enterprises expressed interest in setting up data centres in Karnataka, including in tier-2 cities.
Published Jan 23, 2026 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 23, 2026 | 8:00 AM
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar pitched Bengaluru as the "city of the future" to investors.
Synopsis: The Karnataka government has positioned the state as an investment destination for global investors, with a focus on data centres, renewable energy, artificial intelligence and manufacturing, at the ongoing World Economic Forum. A delegation led by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Industries Minister MB Patil signed MoUs and discussed projects with global firms such as Bharat Forge, Mistral AI, Carlsberg and Xylem, among others.
A delegation from the Karnataka government held a series of high-level meetings with global companies and institutions at the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, from 19 January. From data centres, renewable energy, AI and manufacturing to water infrastructure, education and consumer goods, officials discussed a range of investment opportunities.
The delegation, which included Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Large and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil, Principal Secretary S Selvakumar, and Commissioner, Department of Industries, Gunjan Krishna, among others, inked MOUs and entered into agreements with leading global companies.
Pitching Bengaluru as the “city of the future” to investors, Shivakumar on Wednesday said, “We have excellent weather, culture and human resources. Many global companies are thriving in the city. I welcome you also to our city.”
He noted that more than 500 of the top global companies are currently operating out of Bengaluru.
“The city has excellent human resources in several fields, including aerospace, IT and medicine. The state has 70 medical colleges, and 1.5 lakh medical professionals are passing out of the state’s colleges. We can all grow together,” he said.
Digital infrastructure firms Sify Technologies and Bharti Enterprises expressed interest in setting up data centres in Karnataka, including in tier-2 cities.
Patil said Sify Technologies, which has already made significant investments in data centres in Bengaluru, informed the delegation that one of its facilities is ready for inauguration and expressed interest in expanding into tier-2 cities as well. Bharti Enterprises, which has invested around ₹13,000 crore in Karnataka so far, also discussed plans for an additional data centre in the state.
Engineering major Bharat Forge Limited discussed potential investment opportunities aligned with Karnataka’s industrial and manufacturing ecosystem, while French AI firm Mistral AI conveyed its intent to gradually build a Global Capability Centre and an R&D presence in Bengaluru.
The delegation also met Carlsberg Group Chief Executive Officer Jacob Aarup-Andersen, who reiterated the company’s commitment to establish a ₹350-crore bottling unit in the state.
“Carlsberg informed that it is implementing an investment of around ₹350 crore towards bottling capacity in Karnataka, as committed during Global Investors’ Meet 2025, and indicated plans for further expansion,” Patil said, adding that the company expressed satisfaction with its operations in the state.
New York-based Xylem, a global water technology company, expressed interest in setting up a wastewater treatment plant in a KIADB industrial area to strengthen industrial water security in Karnataka, Patil said. “This will improve efficiency, technology performance, and pricing models, ensuring reliable, lower-cost water for industries,” he added.
The Swiss Indian Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday signed an MoU with the government of Karnataka to create a framework to strengthen Swiss industry and investment engagement in the state under the India–European Free Trade Association and the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement.
In a statement, the chamber said the MoU lays out a structured pathway for Swiss companies to engage with Karnataka, focusing on investment facilitation, company-government dialogue and execution support. The focus areas include collaboration in R&D, engineering, fintech and life sciences.
“Karnataka has emerged as a key destination for Swiss companies due to its strengths in engineering, precision manufacturing, innovation-led sectors and access to skilled talent, which closely align with Swiss industrial capabilities,” the chamber said.
SICC president Satish Rao said that post-TEPA, Swiss companies are looking at how and where to execute investments in India. “This MoU helps structure engagement with Karnataka in a way that supports long-term investment and expansion,” he said.
According to the chamber, Karnataka already hosts a significant share of Swiss economic activity in India. Nearly 18 percent of Swiss companies in the machine, electrical engineering and precision sectors operate in the state, while Bengaluru is home to a substantial number of Swiss research and development centres.
Patil also held discussions with Executive Vice President of the Singapore Economic Development Board Pee Beng Kong. The board is Singapore’s leading investment promotion agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry. They explored the idea of a “Singapore Park” in Karnataka as a dedicated industrial and innovation zone to attract Singapore-based companies.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
