K'taka keen on French investment

Karnataka has spread a red-carpet to welcome more French companies to invest in the State, banking on its strengths in various sectors, predominantly IT, manufacturing and aerospace.

Addressing delegates at the France ‘Make in India’ Seminar, organised by the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI), in association with ASTech Systematic, in Bengaluru on Wednesday, Karnataka Industries Minister R V Deshpande said, “When one speaks of ‘Make in India’, the best palce to begin is in Bengaluru, and Karnataka.”

Karnataka has around 10,000 IT companies, with revenues to the tune of $50 billion, apart from around 400 R&D institutes. “We offer transparency, ease of doing business, huge land bank, and clusters for different companies. If you want to invest in Karnataka, we will make a cluster for your companies as well,” he told the French delegates.

There are around 150 French companies in Karnataka. There are more than 1,000 French entities in India, representing around 400 companies. Consul General of France, Bengaluru, Francois Gautier also spoke on the occasion.