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Coastal Karnataka Industry Bodies Rebut Kharge, Cite IT Gains and Safety Record

Industry leaders move to steady the region’s image by pointing to recent expansion.

Overview

  • Leaders from CII-Mangaluru, the Silicon Beach Programme, CREDAI Mangaluru, TiE Mangaluru and Young Indians issued a joint rebuttal to Minister Priyank Kharge’s remarks that communal tensions have curbed investment.
  • The statement reported 40+ new IT firms and 8,000+ IT jobs in two years, a base of 400+ startups and 250+ tech companies employing about 25,000 professionals, and roughly $250 million from three recent acquisitions with further expansion pledged.
  • Stakeholders highlighted Mangaluru’s safety profile, noting reports that it was the only Indian city in Numbeo’s Safety Index 2026 top 50.
  • The groups pointed to growing international interest, citing recent visits by ambassadors, consuls general and trade commissioners from Spain, France, Denmark, Israel and the United Kingdom.
  • Deccan Chronicle reported that Italy’s MIR Group plans a Rs 21,500 crore green-tech unit in the Mangaluru SEZ, with a groundbreaking tied to a sustainability summit on February 20–21.