From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, May 19: Karnataka has urged the US administration to consider the State’s long-standing demand for establishing US Visa Centre in Bengaluru to ensure a conducive atmosphere for fresh investments in Karnataka.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan made the demand in his video conference with US Consulate General in Chennai, Robert G Burgess on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters after the video conference, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “Nearly 70 per cent of the total South Indians going to the US are from Karnataka. I have brought it to the notice of the consulate general on our long pending demand to set up a Visa Centre.''
Dr Narayan said that he assured Consulate General of conducive atmosphere for American industries planning to shift to Karnataka post COVID 19 economic distress.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the Information Technology, Bio-Technology, Science and Technology Departments in the State have initiated talks with various countries to improve relations post the pandemic outbreak.
"We have always had good relations with the US. Of the top Fortune 500 Companies, 400 are in Karnataka. If more companies want to set up shops here, the government will provide all the necessary assistance. Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa is already acting on this,'' Dr Narayan said.
The State Government has set up an Investment Promotion Task Force under the Chief Secretary to lure companies that are planning to shift their base from China after the COVID 19 outbreak.
"The government has already made changes in land reforms, amended labour laws to ensure ease of business. We are making an -effort to lure investments into the State without leaving anything to chance,’’ he said.
"Everyone knows that Bengaluru is the start-up capital of India. Even the American Consulate General has admitted this. He was appreciative of the State government's proactive measures and termed Bengaluru as favourite city for investors,’’ he said adding Burgess also said that the US will never lose any opportunity to do business with Karnataka.
Dr Narayan, said the Consulate General was impressed with the way Karnataka government handled COVID 19.
"He was appreciative of the government's cooperation to allow companies to work from home besides providing essential services to the doorsteps of people and thanked the government for the good work done," he said.
Additional Chief Secretary E V Ramana Reddy, Managing Director of KITS Meena Nagaraj and President of Karnataka Chapter of Indo American Chamber of Commerce Mohan Rajamani were also present.
Earlier in the day, the Indian Wind Power Association presented a cheque for Rs 10 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund by meeting Yediyurappa at his home office, Krishna.
The Bengaluru Hotel Owners Association and Karnataka State Advocates Council office-bearers called on the Chief Minister.