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Telecommunications giant Nokia Corporation is keen on setting up a Global Capability Centre (GCC) and research centres in Karnataka, state Industries Minister M.B. Patil said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum summit in Davos.

Nokia, which has a 25-year presence in the state and operates its largest global research centre in Bengaluru, has held discussions with the state government on expanding its operations across Karnataka, including in Tier-2 cities, Patil said.

The development comes as the state government continues to woo technology companies and startups, with a focus on sustainable urban development and innovation-driven initiatives.

Nokia’s potential expansion plans in Karnataka are seen as a vote of confidence in the state’s growing technology ecosystem and its ability to attract large-scale investments.

Karnataka’s growing appeal

The state government’s efforts to create a conducive business environment and invest in infrastructure development have made it an attractive destination for technology companies.

The World Economic Forum’s ‘Yes–BLR UpLink’ initiative, which seeks to develop the ‘Yes Bengaluru’ programme on sustainable urban development, has also received support from the state government.

The initiative provides financial assistance, mentorship, and pilot opportunities to startups working on real-world, city-centric challenges and contributing to urban development.

Other companies show interest

Nokia’s potential expansion plans are not the only development in the state’s technology sector. US-based space technology company Vast Space has expressed interest in partnering with the Karnataka government in areas related to space technology, advanced manufacturing, and innovation-driven initiatives.

Another aerospace company, Voyager Technologies, has also expressed interest in entering into a partnership agreement with the state government and collaborating with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on space technology and research initiatives.

These developments are seen as a testament to Karnataka’s growing appeal as a hub for technology and innovation, and its potential to attract investments from global companies.