Davos 2026: Karnataka industries minister Patil pitches Vijayapura for Coke plant

Bengaluru: Karnataka has pitched Vijayapura in the Mumbai-Karnataka region for a slice of Coca-Cola’s proposed investments in India.

Industries Minister MB Patil discussed the subject with Michael Goltzman, senior vice president, (global policy & sustainability) at Coca-Cola at the world economic forum in Davos. The American beverage giant has plans to invest about Rs 25,760 crore in India over the next few years, and Karnataka is pitching for a large slice of this.

Minister Patil, in a media statement said, his government was making efforts to attract a significant share of this investment to Karnataka.


The state’s delegation which also consists of Principal Secretary, Industries, S Selvakumar and Industries Commissioner Gunjan Krishna explained the subsidies and incentives the state’s policies offered to the Coca Cola executives. The minister suggested Vijayapura as an ideal location for such a large beverage plant considering the demand for water. Patil represents Vijayapura district in the Assembly.

The minister also discussed with executives of AB InBev, world’s largest brewing company, on expanding its Mysuru plant. The Belgium-headquartered brewer, which operates a plant in Mysuru, has expressed its interest to step up investments, the minister said in the statement.

The Tata Group executives shared details of the requirements for its projects planned in Karnataka, Patil added.

Menzies Aviation has already invested $25 million in Bengaluru for the development of cargo handling operations.

UK head-quartered Menzies Aviation, the statement added, has offered to invest $ 10 million to top up with additional services at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. In addition, Menzies Aviation has shown interest in establishing a Global Capability Centre (GCC) in the State, the minister said.

Fertilizer major UPL is also looking to expand its operations in Karnataka. The company currently has an annual turnover of Rs 300 crore in North Karnataka and has now expressed interest in importing potash through the Mangaluru port. It has also proposed promoting maize-based industries in the State.

UPL has developed a new technology which can enhance agricultural productivity while reducing the use of urea in farming by 30%. The company has also expressed interest in setting up an ethanol production unit, Patil said.