KJ George meets 65 Kannadiga businessmen, investors in Dubai
Dubai: Karnataka Energy and Tourism Minister K. J. George met 65 leading Kannadiga entrepreneurs from across the UAE at an investors’ meeting in Dubai on Sunday, where discussions focused on investment, tourism, trade and strengthening ties between Karnataka and its global diaspora.
The “Invest in Karnataka – NRI Business Community Meet, Dubai 2026”, organised by the Karnataka NRI Forum UAE (KNRI Forum), brought together business leaders representing more than 20 industries and hailing from different parts of Karnataka.
The meeting was attended by KSTDC Chairman Srinivas M, MLC and former KNRI Deputy Chairman Arathi Krishna, Tourism Secretary Ram Prasath Manohar, KSTDC Managing Director Shivaprasad PR and senior government officials. UAE-based Karnataka business leaders including Ronald Colaco and Moideen Thumbay were also present.
KNRI Forum UAE President and Fortune Group of Hotels CMD Praveen Shetty said the forum aimed to strengthen engagement between Karnataka and its global business community and create opportunities for investment and partnerships.
The event was hosted by Trescon Group CEO and Magure co-founder Naveen Bharadwaj.
Tourism Secretary Ram Prasath Manohar made a presentation on Karnataka’s cultural and natural heritage, infrastructure and investment potential. He outlined opportunities for public-private partnerships in leisure, business, medical, wellness, spiritual, religious, agricultural and coastal tourism.
Addressing the gathering, George spoke about Karnataka’s economic and infrastructure development and called upon Kannadiga entrepreneurs and professionals across the world to contribute to the State’s growth.
He stressed the need for the global Kannadiga community to work together for Karnataka’s advancement without biases or prejudices.
Srinivas M spoke about George’s contribution to the growth of Karnataka’s tourism sector, while Arathi Krishna highlighted the importance of strengthening the State’s engagement with Kannadigas living outside Karnataka.
Colaco spoke about the challenges and economic opportunities before Karnataka, particularly in the tourism sector. Thumbay recalled his long association with George and said government support, land allocation and approvals had helped facilitate the development of his business.
During the interaction, UAE-based entrepreneurs raised suggestions on improving road, air and coastal connectivity, tourism infrastructure, investment facilitation and the global promotion of Karnataka.
The participants also proposed “Namma Bheru”, an initiative aimed at encouraging young Kannadigas across the world to reconnect with Karnataka’s heritage and culture and develop stronger emotional and professional ties with the State.
Another proposal was the creation of a Karnataka Business & Professional Council (KBPC), envisaged as a global platform connecting Karnataka-origin business leaders and senior professionals to facilitate investment, trade, innovation, knowledge exchange and partnerships.
The Karnataka Government also felicitated three UAE-based businessmen, Ronald Colaco, Moideen Thumbay and Praveen Shetty, who are recipients of the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, in recognition of their contributions to Karnataka.
The meeting concluded with participants expressing their willingness to explore concrete partnerships with the Karnataka Government in tourism, investment, enterprise, connectivity and other areas.