Bangalore - The Destination

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This metropolitan city is known as Silicon Valley of India. Bangalore offers everything you'd expect from a world city in terms of everyday conveniences as well as the overall quality of life. This once quaint little cantonment town has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis and has emerged as the fastest growing city in Asia. Bangalore's greatest assets are its salubrious climate and its warm and courteous people with a cosmopolitan outlook.

The city is teeming with restaurants, clubs, pubs, health spas, amusement parks, supermarkets, theatres, cinemas, shopping malls, discotheques and other 'necessities' of a modern-day metropolitan lifestyle. Plenty of worlds class housing, some of the finest schools, colleges and institutions of higher learning. Healthcare facilities comparable with the best anywhere in the world. And, of course, the perfect location for your business.

Bangalore has moved on from pensioner's paradise to one of the top hi-tech cities of the world. Bangalore's transformation has been swift and sensational, with a population of 5.54 million spread over 530 sq. km. Nearly 1000 IT companies including more than 150 multinational giants have their operations here. Bangalore is certainly the undisputed IT capital of India, and is true with the whole of Asia. The city boasts of fine libraries, art galleries and museums. Book readings, classical music concerts, dance performances, folk festivals, dramas, crafts exhibitions. The city's cultural calendar is a chock-a-block with events throughout the year. There are excellent golf courses, bowling alleys, gyms, yoga centers, riding clubs, swimming pools, tennis, badminton and billiards clubs…the list is endless.

Bangalore offers a lifestyle comparable with the world's leading cities and a veritable shopper's paradise. From simple appendectomies to complicated open-heart surgeries, Bangalore is well equipped to take care of all your medical needs. And for believers in alternative forms of medicine, there's plenty of that too - homeopathy, ayurveda, unani, naturopathy, aromatherapy, acupuncture and much else. The city abounds in schools and colleges of repute imparting quality education in practically every stream of study. It's also known the world over for the large number of excellent scientific and research institutes located here.

With nearly a thousand software companies employing over a hundred thousand IT professionals, Bangalore is the undisputed IT nerve-centre of Asia.

The city is also home to top of the line companies in other sectors like engineering, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food processing, apparel, electronics and automobiles. No wonder Bangalore is fuelling the new phenomenon of 'Reverse brain drain' with professionals flocking here from the world over.

Whatever be the business you're in, Bangalore is the best place for it. The city offers everything you'd want to launch and run a successful business venture.

A forward-looking government with business-friendly policies; excellent infrastructure and worldwide connectivity; a vast pool of educated, skilled, disciplined, hard-working human resource; cordial work atmosphere. Financial support with all Indian and foreign banks includes other financial institutions. Inexpensive real estate.

That's not all.Bangalore offers the best environment for working among all the cities of India for healthy and happy living.

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What makes  Karnataka an investor-friendly State?

• Pro -active Industrial policy
• Attractive Incentives & Concessions
• Strong technology and R&D base
• Qualified and trained manpower
• A wealth of natural resources
• Excellent transport network
• Infrastructure support of Industrial Estates , Growth Centers , Electronic Cities and Industrial parks.
• Speedy clearance and escort service to entrepreneurs
• support of a host of development agencies

Is a well-known state for Industrial Development in India, the world's largest democracy. With the second largest GDP among emerging economies, based on purchasing power parity, India has a land area of 3.29 million sq. kms. And a population of over one billion.India is fast emerging as a major force in the global economy.

Today it is the leader in knowledge based, technology driven industries like information technology, biotechnology, electronics, telecommunications, aerospace and much else.

Its capital city Bangalore is recognized the world over as the 'IT capital' of India.

The United Nation's Human Development Report-2000 recognizes Bangalore as the fourth leading global hub of technological innovation, with San Francisco and Austin in USA and Taiwan capital Taipei.

The state is rich in natural resources. It has a strong resource base of highly educated people, backed by an extensive educational infrastructure comprising world-renowned schools, colleges, institutes of higher learning and research and development centers.

And, above all, it has a far-sighted, development-oriented, investor-friendly government.

Karnataka at a glance:

Karnataka highlights:

• Leads the IT revolution with software exports of over US $ 1.6 billion
• Emerging center of Biotech
• Contributes 70 % of India's coffee and 70% of silk. Major source of processed food products with exports worth US $ 408.16 million .
• Produces 20% of India's electronic hardware
• Major apparel sourcing center with exports worth US $ 714.28 million
• Major producer of Steel and Cement
• Science capital of India with more than 100 R&D centers
• Preferred destination of MNCs with more than 150 companies
• Accounts for 50% of the seed production of the country
• Center of learning with 11 universities, 62 medical colleges, 98 engineering colleges and 712 general colleges.

Information technology

Miles ahead of the rest

There are over 925 software companies employing over 80,000 IT professionals and 80 private IT parks. Apart from Indian IT majors like Infosys, Wipro, Tata consultancy Services and Microland, the world's leading IT companies like GE, Texas Instruments, CISCO, Digital, IBM, HP, Compaq, Motorola, Lucent Technologies, Microsoft, Sun Microsystems, Oracle, Novell and several others have made Bangalore their home. Bangalore is also the first choice of overseas vendors for outsourcing. In fact about 50% of the world's SEI CMM Level 5 certified companies are located in Bangalore.

Over 40% of Bangalore's software exports are in the high technology areas-IT access networks, optical networks, video broadcasting, Bluetooth. WAP, 3G Wireless Applications, VOIP, ATM switches, SDH, etc. Software exports from Bangalore touched an all-time high of US $ 1.6 billion during the year 2000-2001.

Biotechnology

Blazing a new trail

Karnataka leads the Indian biotechnology revolution with its excellent infrastructure and a highly integrated environment for biotech research. It is host to a number of leading biotech companies and start-ups, as well as some of the finest R&D facilities in the world -the Indian Institute of Science (ranked 18^th best University in the world), the National Center for biological sciences, the Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research, the University of Agricultural Sciences, the Central Food Technological Research Institute, and the Institute of Bio-Informatics and Biotechnology.

Biotech policy is aimed at encouraging investments, developing infrastructure and enhancing human resources.

Electronics and Telecommunications:

The undisputed leader

The list of companies includes global giants like Siemens, Motorola, AT&T, Alcatel, Sony, Sanyo, GE and British Aerospace as well as national biggies like Bharath Electronics Limited, Indian Telephone Industries Limited, BPL Limited and a host of others.

The state's turnover of over US $ 1 billion accounts for 20 % of the national output.

With Karnataka Government's Free Right Way Policy which allows private companies to lay

Optic fibre cables anywhere in the state, the city will shortly have more players offering hitech connectivity at competitive costs.

Highlights:

1. A 500-acre Electronics city in Bangalore with several more in other centers.
2. STPI-Bangalore, provides incubation facilities and datacom services.
3. Electronic trade and Technology Development Center provides quality human resource.
4. Excellent telecom infrastructure with 140 out of 170 towns connected by OFC network.
5. Hardware Technology park on the anvil.

Agro Food Processing

A sumptuous buffet of opportunities

With its 10 agro-climatic zones and nine district soil types, it is an ideal place for growing virtually every kind of agricultural and horticultural produce.

Several major international food companies include Nestle, Unilever, Global Green, Danone, Wrigleys, Heinz, Pepsi and Coca-Cola, Nissin, Ovobel, among others.

Karnataka is also the leader in floriculture, accounting for 75 % of India's total flower production.

Apparel

Dressing up the world in style

Being a major producer of cotton (1,70,000) tonnes and silk (8,200 tonnes), it is only natural that Karnataka should be a major center for textiles and garments with exports of over US $ one billion in the year 2000-2001. Many leading international brands are now manufactured in Karnataka, viz. Arrow, Allen Solly, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, Lee, Levi Strauss.

The Karnataka Government actively encourages the industry by setting up apparel parks that offer all modern facilities required for the industry to flourish.

Handicrafts

A rich tradition of exquisite craftsmanship

Karnataka, a land rich in history and culture, presents a bewitching range of objets d'art- exquisite sandalwood carvings, intricate inlay work on rosewood, splendid bronzes, beautiful bidriware, colourful lacquerware toys, ethnic dhurries, batiks, stone studded jewelry and incense sticks.

Automobiles

Reviving up for a revolution

The state boasts of a vibrant auto industry with investments of over US $596.73 Million and an annual turnover of US $ 408.16 Million. It is the preferred location of auto giants like Volvo, Toyota, Kirloskar, TVS Suzuki, Telco, L&T Kometsu and BEML as well as auto component majors like BOSCH, Delphi, Denso, Yuasa, VDO, Escorts, Rane and many more. Bangalore is also the base for India's First electric car-REVA.

Banking and Finance

Extensive and excellent back-up

Karnataka offers strong financial support to entrepreneurs through several Government of Karnataka institutions like KSIIDC, KITVEN and KSFC as well as Government of India financial institutions like IDBI, IFCI, SIDBI, NABARD and TDICI. Four of the country's major nationalized banks as well as one of India's largest private banks, Vysya Bank, have their headquarters here with the world's leading banking corporations like CITIBANK, Bank of America, Standard Charter Bank, HSBC, Deutsche Bank, Bank Muscat, Nova Scotia and several others setting up their branches here.

Infrastructure

Putting world class facilities in place

Karnataka has embarked on a massive infrastructure expansion program aimed at providing industry with world-class facilities at competitive prices. Some of the major projects on the fast track of implementation are:

1. Bangalore International airport at Devanahalli
2. Bangalore-Mysore Expressway
3. Bangalore Mass Rapid Transit system
4. Upgradation of Minor Airports and development of minor seaports
5. Upgradation of existing roads and laying of new ones on BOT/Boot basis
6. Five new Food Processing Industrial parks
7. Export promotion Industrial park at Mangalore
8. Special Economic Zone at Hassan
9. Jewelry park at Karwar
10. Garment parks at Bangalore and Bellary

Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), a premier agency engaged in acquiring developing industrial areas in the state has already developed 90 industrial areas in 24 districts.

The Government through KIADB has developed three growth centres at Dharwad, Hassan and Raichur.

Karnataka State Small Industries Development Corporation (KSSIDC), another agency engaged in constructing readymade industrial sheds for the ready use of entrepreneurs has already constructed about 5,700 sheds of different dimensions.

KSSIDC has endeavored to nurture and develop the small-scale sector since 1960.

KSSIDC provides a package of services to SSI units in the State. These include:

• Industrial sheds
• Industrial estates
• Raw materials
• Treating industrial sickness
• Technology transfer
• Construction
• Management guidance to SSI entrepreneurs
• Technical Library facilities

KEONICS has developed Electronic City near Bangalore and the III phase of the same is under progress. For IT industries, STPI is functioning in Bangalore, near electronic city and another STPI is at the final stage of completion at Hubli.

Government is developing an IT corridor in Bangalore and Mangalore near Manipal for the benefit of IT industries.

The Government is proposing to develop five food and agro technology parks at Malur, Bagalkot, Belgaum, Chitradurga and Madur for housing food and agro industries.

Objectives of KCTU -karnataka Council for Technology Upgradation:

• To enhance the competitive status of SMEs of Karnataka through technology Upgradation, acquisition, adaptation and Upgradation of modern technology
• Plan for modernization and diversification growth
• To reduce cost, improve productivity and quality, increase the competitiveness of industry, nationally and internationally and go for latest state of art technology diversification plans

KCTU works as a nodal agency for transfer of Technology from National Laboratories, Research Institutes to SMEs

Some major activities of KCTU are:

• ISO 9000/14000 Awareness Programmes and escort service
• Patent assistance and patent search and filing grant of patents.
• Periodical publication of Tech digest for information dissemination
• KCTU has also organized First International Workshop on Technology business Incubators in India (ITBI India 2001) held in Bangalore at Hotel Ashok.