Karnataka CM Asks Foxconn To Expand Investments In State During Chairman’s Visit
During the discussions, the Karnataka CM assured Liu of Karnataka’s strong support for Foxconn’s projects
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met with Young Liu, Chairman of the Taiwan-based Hon Hai Technology Group, commonly known as Foxconn, in Bengaluru on Friday.
“It gives me immense pleasure to note that your project will create substantial employment opportunities within the state. This not only boosts the local economy, but also empowers our workforce and announces the overall prosperity of the region,” said CM Siddaramaiah while hosting a dinner for Liu.
Foxconn has been making decent-sized investments in Karnataka, including the establishment of a major iPhone assembly plant, dubbed “Project Elephant.” This facility, located within the ITIR Industrial Area in Bengaluru Rural district, is being developed with an investment of Rs 22,000 crore. It is expected to generate employment for more than 50,000 people. Construction on the plant is reportedly underway, with the state government working to secure necessary licenses and ensure the provision of essential utilities like power and water.
“We assure you of our complete support and commitment to ensure Foxconn gets all the assistance required in this process. Our government is ready to support you and I request you to further invest in Karnataka because it is a beautiful state and has got huge potential for investment,” the Karnataka CM added.
In addition to the iPhone assembly plant, Foxconn is also setting up a manufacturing and assembly facility for mechanical components used in electric vehicles, known as “Project Cheetah.” For this venture, the company has leased private land in Bengaluru district.
During the discussions, the Karnataka CM assured Liu of the state's strong support for Foxconn’s projects and highlighted its strong law and order system. Siddaramaiah also mentioned Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage and its significance as a key player in India’s electronics manufacturing sector. He also pointed out the state’s strengths in logistics, power reliability and a skilled workforce, all of which are crucial for competitive electronics manufacturing.
Beyond the iPhone assembly plant in Karnataka, the Apple supplier has also acquired land near Bengaluru Airport in Devanahalli for Rs 300 crore, where it plans to establish a manufacturing facility within the Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) industrial area. This facility is part of a larger investment plan of Rs 8,500 crore, expected to create over one lakh jobs in Karnataka over the next decade. Although the project missed its initial deadlines, production is scheduled to commence by April 2024, with investments rolling out in three phases over the coming years.
Foxconn Industrial Internet (Fii), a subsidiary of Foxconn, is also considering an investment of Rs 8,800 crore in Karnataka. This additional investment is projected to generate 14,000 job opportunities, further solidifying the company’s commitment to the state and its role in driving economic growth through the electronics and technology sectors.
Liu’s visit to Karnataka is part of a broader tour of India, during which he has met with several key leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. These meetings have been focused on exploring and discussing Foxconn’s investment strategies across various states, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
On 17 August, Liu is scheduled to attend the inauguration of an industrial housing facility in Tamil Nadu, designed to support workers from Foxconn and other industries.
