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Karnataka Woos Global Giants at WEF 2026 for Billions in Industrial Investment

Karnataka's Industries Minister M.B. Patil is leading a high-powered delegation at the World Economic Forum 2026 to attract global investment. He has pitched Vijayapura district to The Coca-Cola Company as a strategic hub for beverage manufacturing, leveraging its water security. In the sustainable materials sector, the state secured a strong investment lead of up to Rs 1,800 crore from Natural Fiber Welding for plant-based alternatives. The minister also held talks with brewing giant AB InBev to expand its existing operations within Karnataka's manufacturing ecosystem.

Key Points: Karnataka's WEF 2026 Push for Global Investment & Jobs

  • Pitched Vijayapura to Coca-Cola
  • Secured Rs 1,800 cr lead from NFW Earth
  • Deepened engagement with AB InBev
  • Focus on sustainable manufacturing
3 min read

Karnataka eyes major industrial boost as Minister M.B. Patil woos global giants at WEF 2026

Minister M.B. Patil courts Coca-Cola, NFW Earth & AB InBev for major investments in food processing & sustainable materials in Karnataka.

"We highlighted Vijayapura as a priority industrial hub, specifically for its sustainable water availability - M.B. Patil"

Davos, January 20

In a push to cement Karnataka's position as a global manufacturing powerhouse, M.B. Patil, Karnataka's Minister for Commerce & Industries and Infrastructure, has initiated a series of strategic engagements at the World Economic Forum 2026.

Leading the state's delegation with an "execution-first" mandate, the Minister has secured significant interest from global leaders in the food processing and sustainable materials sectors, potentially bringing billions in investment to the state.

The delegation's first breakthrough came during a high-level meeting with the leadership of The Coca-Cola Company. The discussions centred on the "strategic expansion of their operations in Karnataka," building on the company's massive Rs 25,760 crore investment commitment to India's food processing sector.

Minister Patil specifically pitched Vijayapura as a future industrial powerhouse for the beverage giant. Sharing the update on his X account, he said, "Among our other proposals, we highlighted Vijayapura as a priority industrial hub, specifically for its sustainable water availability, which is crucial for large-scale beverage manufacturing."

By providing "long-term resource security and full governmental facilitation," the state aims to secure high-impact projects that will bolster industrial resilience and create "quality regional opportunities."

Shifting focus to cutting-edge material science, Minister Patil met with Natural Fiber Welding (NFW Earth), a company renowned for creating plastic-free, plant-based alternatives to leather and textiles for brands like BMW, Adidas, and Levi's.

The meeting yielded a significant investment lead, with NFW Earth expressing a "strong interest in expanding its manufacturing footprint in India." The company outlined a proposed Phase-I investment of Rs 1,600-1,800 crore.

To ensure the project reaches fruition, the Minister provided a comprehensive briefing on the state's support systems. "We briefed them on Karnataka's industrial incentive framework and assured full facilitation, including approvals, infrastructure support and ecosystem linkages," he tweeted.

NFW Earth is expected to submit a detailed project proposal to the Government of Karnataka shortly.

The Karnata Minister also engaged in a high level dialogue with brewing major AB InBev.

"We deepened our engagement with AB InBev at #WEF26 during a high-level dialogue with Chief Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer John Blood. From its specialised brewery in Mysuru to its Global Capability Centre in Bengaluru, the company maintains a significant and strategic presence in our state. We discussed their intent to further leverage Karnataka's manufacturing ecosystem and talent base for future growth. Our delegation pledged continued facilitation and seamless inter-departmental coordination to support their operational requirements and upcoming initiatives. We remain committed to fostering a robust environment where global industry leaders can thrive and scale." the Minister said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good to see Karnataka being proactive at Davos. But pitching Vijayapura for a beverage plant because of "sustainable water availability"? That region faces water scarcity issues. Hope the Minister's team has done their homework and this won't lead to another water crisis for farmers. Execution needs careful planning.
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Aman W
As someone from Mysuru, it's great to see AB InBev looking to expand here. Their brewery already provides good employment. More such investments mean better opportunities for our youth to stay and work in Karnataka instead of moving to other states or abroad.
S
Sarah B
The focus on sustainable materials is very encouraging. If NFW Earth sets up shop, it could revolutionize supply chains for so many industries here. Fingers crossed the proposal moves forward smoothly. Karnataka has the talent and infrastructure to support such innovation.
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Vikram M
Promises at Davos are one thing, ground reality is another. We've seen many MoUs signed that never materialize. The government must publish a clear, public tracker for these investment leads with timelines. Accountability is key. Still, a good start if followed through.
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Kavya N
Developing Vijayapura as an industrial hub could be a game-changer for North Karnataka's economy. It's about time investment spread beyond Bengaluru. Hoping for quality job creation and skill development programs for locals to be part of this growth story.

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