The Aryavarth Express
Davos (Switzerland):
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday pitched Bengaluru as a “city of the future” at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, urging global investors and industry leaders to explore opportunities in the city’s expanding innovation ecosystem and vast talent base.
Addressing the international business community, Shivakumar highlighted India’s strong demographic advantage and long-term economic outlook, asserting that the country will remain a preferred global destination for talent and investment over the next 25 years. He also underlined Bengaluru’s global identity, noting that India is often recognised through the city.
“I come from India, a very vibrant country with a huge population and a big pool of talent. India will be the preferred destination for the next 25 years. I come from the state of Bengaluru, and India is often seen through Bengaluru. It is the IT capital of Asia,” he said.
Emphasising Karnataka’s rapid urbanisation, Shivakumar noted that the state’s urban population currently stands at around 40 per cent and is expected to rise to nearly 50 per cent over the next two to three decades.
“Karnataka is growing rapidly, especially in terms of urban population. We are preparing ourselves for what the state will need in the coming decades,” he added.
Drawing comparisons with global technology hubs, Shivakumar pointed out that while California has about 1.3 million IT professionals, Bengaluru alone is home to nearly 2.5 million. He said global urbanisation trends are increasingly tilting towards India, with Bengaluru emerging as a key gateway for innovation and growth.
Describing Bengaluru as a global centre for research and innovation, he highlighted the city’s diverse talent pool spanning sectors such as information technology, aerospace, healthcare and medical research.
“It is a city of innovation, research and a big talent pool. This talent is not limited to IT but extends to aerospace, medical and several other sectors. In Karnataka, we have around 70 medical colleges and produce about 1.5 million doctors every year in the health sector,” Shivakumar said.
Inviting investors and global leaders to visit the city, he concluded by saying, “I invite all of you to come to our city. We will make you stronger. Working together, we will be successful. This is the city of the future, and the talent pool is limitless.”
The 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum is being held from January 19 to 23, 2026, at Davos-Klosters, bringing together nearly 3,000 participants from more than 130 countries, including world leaders, CEOs, innovators and policymakers, under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue.”
