Cong-JD(S) alliance is a mission to save Gandhi and Gowda families: BJP

Bengaluru, Jun 3: Deputy Chief Minister CN Ashwath Narayan on Tuesday invited investors in the Electronics System and Design Manufacturing (ESDM) sector to Karnataka, as the state contributes 64 per cent to the sector's total exports from the nation.

During a video conference organised by Invest India for a few select states with leading ESDM players across the globe, Narayan said, "We are the largest chip design hub and home to 70 per cent of India's chip designers."

Karnataka has introduced industry-friendly policies from the beginning and it continues to be the leader in attracting technology-specific investments, he added.

"Karnataka has an estimated GSDP of almost USD 220 billion. We were the first to come out with IT, BT, ESDM, and AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) policies to give a push to the growth of the technology sectors and innovation. We also have vibrant automobiles, agro, aerospace, textile and garment, and heavy engineering industries," Narayan explained.

"We have created sector-specific SEZs for key industries such as IT, biotechnology and engineering, food processing and aerospace,'' he said.

However, the state government is planning ahead as it has initiated talks with other countries.

"We have held multiple consultations with the private sector to seek inputs for returning to business as we ease the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. We are also initiating dialogue with countries across the globe to understand future plans for their companies in the post COVID era and discuss how the Karnataka government can support that," the Deputy Chief Minister stated.

"Karnataka has attracted cumulative FDI inflows in the state from 2000 to 2019 which were recorded at USD 42.3 billion," he said.

Referring to the Karnataka ESDM policy 2017-2022, Narayan further said, "We aim to stimulate the growth of 2,000 ESDM start-ups during the policy period and create 20 lakh new jobs by 2025.

Bengaluru, May 6: Karnataka has reported 20 new cases of coronavirus taking total number of cases in the state to 693.

The state health department said in a bulletin on Wednesday that 20 new cases have been confirmed for COVID-19 in the state. "The total number of cases in the state is 693," it said.

The count includes 354 patients who have been discharged and 29 patients who succumbed to the disease.

Out of the remaining cases, 303 patients are in isolation at designated hospitals while six patients are in ICU. The bulletin has also reported one death due to non-COVID cause.

The number of COVID-19 cases in the country reached 49,391, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday morning.

This includes 33,514 active cases and 1,694 deaths due to infection so far.

A total of 14,182 persons have been cured and discharged so far, according to the Health Ministry. One patient has migrated.

Bengaluru, April 5: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday urged the people to follow the countrywide lockdown strictly amid the rise of COVID-19 cases on Sunday, and said that he has been receiving complaints of people violating the restrictions.

"Everyone knows the damage caused by the COVID- 19 infection around the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a nationwide lockdown till April 14 for the protection of people's lives. Even in our state, Bidar, Mysore, Mangalore, Bengaluru and Kalaburagi districts have witnessed a rise in the coronavirus cases day by day," Yediyurappa said.

"The government has taken a number of precautionary measures to control the spread of coronavirus including the closure of borders for public, restrictions on publicly trafficked areas and religious places. The people of the state have to strictly follow the lockdown mandate," he added.

"I have received a lot of complaints about lockdown not being followed effectively. Please remember that the key to ending the lockdown is in your hands. Only you can break the chain by strictly adhering to the restrictions," the CM tweeted.

Earlier on Saturday, 16 people tested positive for coronavirus in Karnataka, taking the total number of cases to 144 in the state.

The total number of COVID-19 positive cases rose to 3,374 in India on Sunday, as per the data provided the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.