BCG is engaged by central government as well, retorts Karnataka minister

BENGALURU: The ruling Congress government in Karnataka is busy making arrangements for the upcoming 'Invest Karnataka-2025,' a Global Investors Meet, in Bengaluru to be held in February next year and the move of the State Government came under criticism from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over fixing a foreign company Boston Consulting Group (BCG) as its knowledge partner for the investors meet.

Regarding fixation of Boston Consulting Group (BCG) as its knowledge partner to host ‘Invest Karnataka-2025,' Minister for Heavy Industries M.B. Patil on Friday took a dig at State president of Bharatiya Janata Party B.Y. Vijayendra over latter’s objection to fixing Boston Consulting Group and pointed out to Vijayendra that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision document-2047 is itself prepared by BCG.

In a chat with media persons in Bengaluru, Patil brought to the notice of Vijendra that BCG has been fixed by Central Government ruled by BJP as its financial advisor of its Vision document-2047 and asked Vijayendra to question Modi “Why did he give preparation of vision document-2047 to BCG?”

Patil said “Will Vijayendra tell Modu that he has given vision document preparation to East India Company?” and stated BCG was engaged by the previous BJP government which ruled Karnataka when Vijendra’s father and former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa was the Chief Minister (2019-2021) and also during the term of Basavaraj Bommai (2021-2024). BCG I has been chosen as knowledge partner in a transparent tender process and BCG is a prestigious company having a wide network (globally) and offices.

The Minister termed Vijayendra’s objection to BCG as “a foolish and immature one” and asked the BJP State Chief to “Do homework first.”

About a week back, the Karnataka cabinet approved BCG as its knowledge partner to host ‘Invest Karnataka-2025’ in Bengaluru in the coming February. Briefing media persons after the cabinet’s decision, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs H.K. Patil said Global Investors Meet (GIM) will be held from February 12-14 at Palace Grounds in Bengaluru city and the meet is held to draw investments to the State.

H.K. Patil said the Boston Consulting Group was the lone participant in the tender process to be the knowledge partner for the event and BCG will guide the whole event and make it a success.

A couple of days back, the State Government organized a curtain raiser for the ‘Invest Karnataka-2025’ in Bengaluru city. At the curtain raiser event, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that through Global Investors Meet-2025 will aim to showcase technological prowess and manufacturing excellence and achieve an industrial growth rate of about 16 percent annually to reach a $1 trillion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2023.

Minister for Heavy Industries MB. Patil said a series of global roadshows will be held to showcase Karnataka’s manufacturing ecosystem to international companies. Besides, visits to foreign countries to invite industry leaders for GIM. The visits will include a trip to Japan from June 24 to 28 and later to South Korea from July 1 to 5.