Karnataka Targets 500 New GCCs And 3.5 Lakh Jobs By 2029

Officials noted that the policy is designed to boost investor confidence, encourage collaboration with the local innovation ecosystem, and establish Karnataka as a global leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) research and development.

Formulated through extensive consultations and industry research, the policy draws insights from over 500 discussions with industry leaders and experts, resulting in a comprehensive framework with ambitious targets for growth, collaboration, and incentives.

During the event, Karnataka’s Information Technology and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge said, "We are proud to launch India's first dedicated policy for Global Capability Centres (GCCs), which reaffirms Karnataka’s status as a top destination for innovation and business transformation. GCCs have evolved from back-office operations to being key drivers of global strategic initiatives, research and development, and technology solutions."

Kharge emphasized the critical role of GCCs in the state's growth, pointing out that with a workforce of over 1.2 million and contributing USD 22.2 billion to the economy, GCCs are a significant source of employment and economic development in Karnataka.

"Through this policy, we expect the GCC sector to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12-14 percent over the next decade. We foresee Karnataka holding nearly 50 percent of the national GCC market share by 2029. Our goal is to foster an ecosystem that promotes innovation, supports research and development, and nurtures top talent to ensure Karnataka remains the most attractive destination for GCCs globally," Kharge added.

The draft policy is currently open for public comments, with the government encouraging inputs from stakeholders to further refine and strengthen the policy.

Ekroop Caur, Secretary to the Government of Karnataka’s Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, presented an overview of the draft GCC policy, highlighting its objectives, vision, and goals. She emphasized that the policy aims to expand the GCC ecosystem beyond Bengaluru with the introduction of the 'Beyond Bengaluru Package' to attract investments and spur development across the state.

"Our target is to establish 500 new GCCs by 2029, creating 3.5 lakh jobs and generating an economic output of USD 50 billion," Caur said.

A notable aspect of the policy is the creation of Global Innovation Districts, with three new cutting-edge technology parks — one in Bengaluru and two in 'Beyond Bengaluru' clusters. These parks will offer advanced infrastructure to facilitate collaboration between startups, tech leaders, and academic institutions. Anchor investors in these districts will be eligible for special incentives, while mega projects will receive customized incentive packages.

(This story has been slightly reworked from an auto-generated PTI feed.)