Karnataka

Last Updated: November 2009


Located in the southern region of India, Karnataka is among the top five industrialised states in the country and is considered the Silicon State and Bengaluru, the information technology (IT) Capital of India. Karnataka is among the top five industrialised states in the country and is the science capital of India with more than 100 R&D centres. Karnataka leads in the IT industry with IT and ITeS exports of over US$ 12.6 billion in 2006–07.

Karnataka recorded the highest growth rates in terms of GDP and per capita gross domestic product (GDP) in the last decade compared to other states. The total gross state domestic product (GSDP) of Karnataka at current prices was about US$ 58.23 billion in 2008-09. Karnataka recorded the highest growth rates in terms of GDP and per capita GDP in the last decade compared to other states.

The state is producer of 70 per cent of India‘s silk and is a major apparel sourcing destination for the global market. Several leading multinational food companies like Unilever, Britannia, ITC, Nestle, Nissin, Pepsi, Coco-Cola, Heinz, among others, have manufacturing facilities in the state. The state accounts for 70 per cent of the country‘s total coffee production (which stood at 206 million tones in 2006-07). Karnataka ranked fourth in terms of the number of foreign technology collaborations approved, which amounted to 525 (6.51 per cent of the total collaborations approved). The state has among the highest foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, overall investments and conversion ratios. The Government of Karnataka is promoting the development of several special economic zones (SEZs) across Karnataka such as pharma and biotech SEZ, food processing and agro-based industries and textiles SEZ at Hassan and IT and Coastal SEZs at Mangalore.

State Presentation (September 2009)
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