Bengaluru: Karnataka will be a long-term partner of the Czech Republic, and companies from the European nation should explore investment opportunities across the state rather than concentrating only on Bengaluru, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said on Wednesday.
Addressing a delegation led by Czech Republic Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlicek at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar highlighted opportunities for collaboration in energy, automotive manufacturing, future mobility, aerospace, defence, agriculture, forestry and horticulture.
He said Karnataka had the industrial capabilities, skilled workforce and research ecosystem required to support Czech companies seeking to expand their presence in India.
“Karnataka will be a long-term partner of the Czech Republic. Czech companies should not restrict themselves to Bengaluru but explore investment opportunities across Karnataka,” he said.
The meeting focused on strengthening economic ties, identifying areas for industrial collaboration and encouraging Czech businesses to establish partnerships with companies and institutions across the state.
Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, Industries Minister M B Patil, MP and Chief Minister’s chief adviser Dr G C Chandrashekhar, and Additional Chief Secretary Tushar Girinath were among those present.
The Czech delegation included Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Marie Chatardova, Marek Libricky, Katerina Gazurnova, Richard Laverty, Miroslav Okruli, Katerina Peterson, Katerina Vavkova, Jan Rafaj and Gunnat Chaudhary, along with other officials and trade representatives.
Energy sector offers investment opportunities
Shivakumar said Karnataka’s growing energy requirements created considerable scope for investment and collaboration with Czech companies.
He pointed to the state’s major solar power installations and long-established hydropower facilities, highlighting opportunities for businesses with expertise in energy technologies and infrastructure.
“Karnataka has substantial energy requirements and enormous opportunities for investment in this sector. We would like to invite companies to explore Karnataka as an investment destination,” he said.
The Chief Minister also encouraged Czech businesses to explore opportunities in agriculture, forestry, horticulture and floriculture, sectors in which Karnataka has an established presence.
Expanding cooperation in these areas could help strengthen business links while supporting industrial and technological development, he indicated.
Automotive, electric vehicles and aerospace in focus
Automotive manufacturing and future mobility featured prominently in the discussions. Shivakumar invited Czech companies to explore partnerships with Karnataka-based businesses in automotive components, electric vehicles, next-generation mobility, testing facilities and specialised manufacturing.
He cited the presence of Czech brands such as Škoda and Bata in India as examples of the existing commercial links between the two countries. He called for identifying more business opportunities specifically connected to Karnataka’s industrial ecosystem.
Companies such as Škoda Auto and Doosan Škoda Power could explore cooperation in manufacturing, engineering, sourcing and research, he said.
Referring to the Tata AutoComp–Škoda Group partnership in railway components, Shivakumar said it demonstrated the potential to combine Czech engineering expertise with Indian manufacturing capabilities.
“We should explore similar partnerships with companies based in Karnataka,” he said.
He also welcomed a proposed partnership with Gopalan Aerospace, saying it could open additional avenues for cooperation in the aerospace sector.
The state government is seeking investments that can bring specialised technologies, strengthen local manufacturing capabilities and create opportunities for collaboration between international companies and domestic businesses.
Bengaluru’s technology ecosystem highlighted
Describing Bengaluru as one of India’s leading centres for technology, research and entrepreneurship, Shivakumar said its engineering talent, industrial base and start-up ecosystem made Karnataka an attractive destination for Czech businesses looking to expand in the Indian market.
He noted that the Czech Republic had expertise in precision engineering, machine tools, automotive components, industrial machinery, transport technologies and applied research.
According to Shivakumar, these capabilities complemented Karnataka’s strengths in manufacturing, aerospace, electronics and technology, creating opportunities for joint ventures and industrial partnerships.
He encouraged Czech companies to look beyond the state capital and assess investment possibilities in other districts, where industrial capabilities and local resources could support a wider range of projects.
The emphasis on investments beyond Bengaluru also reflects the state’s stated aim of extending industrial activity and employment opportunities to more regions of Karnataka.
Universities and research institutions could collaborate
The discussions also covered cooperation beyond trade and direct investment, including academic partnerships, skill development and research.
Shivakumar said collaborations between Czech technical universities and research institutions and their counterparts in Karnataka could promote applied research, develop industry-relevant skills and accelerate the commercialisation of emerging technologies.
He highlighted the potential for closer engagement in innovation and start-up development, areas that could link academic expertise with industrial requirements.
India and the Czech Republic agreed to a Strategic Partnership on Innovation in January 2024, establishing a framework for closer cooperation in research, emerging technologies, industrial innovation and start-up linkages.
Building on this framework, the two sides could explore projects that connect businesses, universities and research institutions, with a focus on practical applications and technology development.
Karnataka government assures support to investors
Shivakumar said the Karnataka government would facilitate prospective investments through Invest Karnataka, Karnataka Udyog Mitra, the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) and the state’s single-window clearance system.
These mechanisms are intended to help investors identify suitable locations, understand approval requirements and coordinate with the relevant government departments.
He also highlighted the role of CzechTrade’s Bengaluru office, the Czech Business Incubator and the Czech Industrial Cluster in building business connections, identifying local partners and helping Czech companies understand investment opportunities in Karnataka.
The Chief Minister said the state wanted to attract investments that would introduce new technologies, strengthen local industries, create quality jobs and boost exports.
He expressed confidence that sustained engagement between the Czech business community and the Karnataka government would help translate the discussions into concrete investment opportunities.
The meeting underlined Karnataka’s efforts to deepen international economic partnerships while encouraging industries to explore opportunities across the state, including locations beyond Bengaluru.