The Roundtable Discussion on Strengthening EU-India Partnerships with Emphasis on Karnataka took place on 13th February 2025 at the Bangalore Palace. The event brought together European companies and key government representatives from Karnataka, aiming to explore investment opportunities in the state while reinforcing EU-India relations. The session featured prominent figures, including representatives from the EU Chambers of Commerce in India and companies from various European countries, including Austria, Germany, France, Spain, Poland, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Slovenia, Denmark and the USA.

The session began with introductions by Mr. Robin (USA), Senior Vice President of the EU Chambers of Commerce in India and Chairman of Nucleon Research Pvt Ltd. He emphasized the role of the Chambers in promoting lesser-known EU member states in India, particularly focusing on those countries that don’t have significant representation. Dr. Renu Shome (India), Director of the Council of EU Chambers of Commerce in India, highlighted the Chamber’s commitment to supporting European companies in Karnataka, mentioning the presence of 90 EU members in the state. Participants from various organizations shared their investment interests in Karnataka. Mr. Anup Barapatre (Germany), Principal at AEC – Euro Asia Consulting Pvt Ltd, spoke about the sectors of interest in Karnataka. Mr. Nathan Dubois-Stora (France), Regional Director – South India at Ultraconfidentiel, discussed the investment opportunities his organization sees in the state. Ms. Satarupa Majumdar (Spain), Marketing Director – India and Middle East at Deoleo India Pvt. Ltd., shared insights on the company’s expansion plans in Bangalore. Mr. Michał Liżewski (Poland), Co-Founder, Advocate & Partner at Legally.Smart, and Dr. Judyta Latymowicz (Poland), Co-Founder, Advocate & Partner at Legally.Smart, both highlighted the potential for Polish companies in Karnataka, focusing on smart city development and water treatment projects. Michał emphasized opportunities in those sectors, while Judyta discussed how their law firm helps facilitate Polish companies’ expansion into Karnataka.

Additionally, Ms. Tea Pirih (Slovenia), Economic Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in New Delhi, discussed the growing bilateral trade between Slovenia and India, and potential joint ventures in Karnataka. Ms. Sunita Harisankar (Netherlands), Director at Kusters Engineering India Pvt Ltd, shared her company’s interests in investing and expanding operations in Karnataka. Mr. Satyabrata Das (Czech Republic), Director at PBS India, emphasized his company’s plan to establish an assembly unit in Bangalore by 2026, seeking support in areas like taxation, government land acquisition, and policy alignment. Mr. Amitabh Anand, Managing Director and Executive Board Member,LISEGA India Private Limited discussed his keen interest towards Karnataka.

Key points from the discussion included the need for smoother policy transitions and support for setting up manufacturing units, with Mr. Santosh Bohra (France), Partner and Head of Advisory at Forvis Mazars in Mumbai, emphasizing the importance of favorable tax and setup policies. Ms. Hana Onderkova (Czech Republic), Director at CzechTrade Bengaluru (Czech Trade Promotion Agency), focused on promoting Czech companies’ interests in Karnataka. Mr. Gaurav Jain (Germany), Associate Partner at Rödl & Partner Consulting Pvt. Ltd., praised the state’s incentives for Greenfield projects, while Mr. Rishi Chawla (Denmark), Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Carlsberg India Pvt. Ltd., discussed the company’s expansion plans and the need for faster approval processes.

The Karnataka government was represented by Mr. B.K. Shivakumar (India), Director of Exports and Managing Director of the Visvesvaraya Trade Promotion Centre (VTPC), who discussed the state’s policy advantages, including its stable governance and skilled workforce. He proposed further collaboration and the establishment of a single-window system to facilitate smoother processes for foreign investors. Mr. B.K. Shivakumar provided key contact details for assistance with proposals and investment facilitation.

Mr. MB Patil (India), Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, also addressed the delegation, stressing Karnataka’s leadership in various industries and its readiness to engage with European companies. He emphasized the importance of mutual collaboration and technological exchange to drive future growth.

In conclusion, the event highlighted strong interest in Karnataka as a key destination for European investment, with a focus on simplifying regulatory processes, promoting sustainable growth, and fostering greater bilateral engagement. Mr. Robin (USA) reiterated the EU Chambers’ role in supporting these efforts and proposed the creation of a dedicated EU Chambers office in Bangalore to facilitate further collaboration.