The DRoEV cluster aims to attract global investors and be part of the global supply chain. The cluster is also an excellent opportunity to showcase local talents, intellectual property, products, and innovations while creating a conducive manufacturing environment for the drones and EV industry, KDEM, an independent organisation consisting of top corporate executives and government officials, said in a press release. The Section 8 organisation is designed to function as the knowledge bridge between the state government and the industry ecosystem to accelerate the development of the state’s IT, BT, and S&T sectors.
We want to enable a conducive manufacturing ecosystem and invite global investors to interact with local industries, partners, and be part of the global supply chain. Belagavi is a great location, and this cluster will help develop an ecosystem for the sector with its proximity to industry hubs, R&D centres, educational institutions, and global networks for the nation,” KDEM chairman BV Naidu said. “About 30,000 students (engineers and ITI) passing out annually, local talent is another key factor that will drive new age industries like Drones & EV in the coming years.”
IT/BT department head and additional chief secretary EV Ramana Reddy said emerging clusters outside Bengaluru, like Hubli-Dharwad- Belagavi, were exerting more significant influence; The Belagavi region, alongside the region’s high talent pool, entrepreneurship, and skilled labour, has been essential to attracting engineering companies. The government has also undertaken efforts to accelerate the cluster’s growth in other areas. “We are excited to see the interest from the industry for this. These initiatives combined with industry support will contribute towards the digitization of our nation and harness the limitless potential of the state’s digital economy in order to transform the lives of the people.”
KDEM CEO Sanjeev Gupta said that the Indian EV & Drones market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 50% & 10% respectively for the next five years and Karnataka will play a leading role in this growth. “The KDEM is enabling this growth by creating a new cluster and hosting DRoEV 2023 in the already existing industrial clusters in Belagavi will benefit from the multiplier effect of this new venture.”
