Industrialists form umbrella body to attract investments to north Karnataka

HUBBALLI: In a bid to accelerate the city’s growth in the industrial sector and to attract investors, like-minded people have formed the Hubballi-Dharwad Development Forum (HDDF).
It is for the first time that a forum has been constituted with the sole intention of developing industries in the Hubballi-Dharwad region. Most of the successful industrialists, entrepreneurs and academicians are part of this forum who intend to delve deep into the city’s potentiality to attract investors from across the globe.
Ashok Shettar, vice-chancellor, KLE Technological University and vice chairman of HDDF, told TOI that the forum consisting of prominent people from local industries and other professions was an advocacy and facilitation group for the industrial development of the region.
“Our main objective is to act as a catalyst and facilitator to identify and advocate for projects and strategies to improve infrastructure and support services needed for the growth of industry, employment, investment opportunities in the region and to influence and shape the industrial policies to attract public and private investment to the region. It will also to provide a collective voice for issues and needs of industries in the region,” he said. Stating that employment generation by industrials in the region was almost flat or negative, he added, “We need to generate employment opportunities to utilize the potential of local talented youths.”
“Earlier too, we had some forums but we achieved success in small things but this time we need to achieve a bigger success by attracting investors to start their units. Initially, we will focus on Hubballi-Dharwad region and then shift our focus on other districts. We intend to boost industrial activities in North Karnataka to prevent people from migrating to other regions in search of jobs. We will study some successful industrial models in other states and regions and try to adopt them in our region,” he said.
“We as a forum will make synergized efforts to change the economy of the city by creating opportunities for investors. HDDF’s office has been set up at KLE’s Tech park and we will meet frequently to discuss industrial issues. Besides, we will also study the existing industrial problems in our region and try to find solutions to revive them,” said Shettar.
“Former MP Vijay Sankeshwar is the chairman of HDDF and already 17 members have registered their names with the forum, which will be officially launched on Saturday,” he added.