AMCHAM’s Karnataka Chapter has consistently delivered a comprehensive set of programs and engagements aimed at creating tangible value for member companies while strengthening industry–government collaboration in Karnataka. A strong emphasis is placed on high-quality government engagement, thought leadership, and member-centric knowledge platforms, reinforcing AMCHAM’s differentiated role within the state’s business ecosystem.

Programs and Activities in 2025

Key government interactions during the year included a social interaction with senior Karnataka government officials, where AMCHAM members engaged with Mr. D.K. Shivakumar, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, enabling open dialogue and relationship-building with senior policymakers. This was followed by a meeting with Mr. Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Electronics, IT & Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, which focused on collaboration in high- technology skilling, aligning AMCHAM member expertise with the Nipuna Karnataka initiative to advance employability and build a future-ready workforce. Further strengthening engagement, AMCHAM leadership met with Dr. Arathi Krishna, Hon’ble Member of the Karnataka Legislative Council, to exchange perspectives on innovation, global engagement, and Karnataka’s role as a technology and innovation hub. An introductory meeting with Dr. Manjula N., IAS, Secretary to Government, ITBT and Infrastructure Development, reinforced dialogue on investment facilitation, innovation-led growth, and Karnataka’s attractiveness as a destination for U.S. companies across sectors.

The chapter also supported and participated in significant ecosystem initiatives, including the launch of the Karnataka GCC Handbook and Mid-Market GCC Report, hosted by the Department of Electronics, IT & Biotechnology under its Ease of Doing Business Cell. The event brought together government, AMCHAM members, and industry leaders, highlighting Karnataka’s growing GCC ecosystem and policy support framework.

A robust calendar of knowledge and leadership programs complemented government engagement. These included the CXO breakfast meeting on ‘Emerging Fraud and Cybersecurity Trends,’ hosted in partnership with KPMG, which brought together senior industry leaders and government representatives for in-depth discussion and peer learning. The Leadership Breakfast Series: A Fresh Take on Building Leadership Presence, conducted with KPMG, focused on executive presence, communication, and leadership effectiveness. AMCHAM also hosted an exclusive HR and compliance session with EY, addressing statutory updates and workforce priorities, followed by a dedicated labour codes and industry readiness session, which enabled members to gain clarity on compliance expectations and implementation challenges. Additionally, members participated in an exclusive breakfast interaction with Mr. Jeroen Tas, Co-Founder of Mphasis, centred on organizational change and long-term transformation, combining strategic insights with high-value networking.

Flagship initiatives remained a highlight of the year. The Karnataka Chapter signature conference ‘Future Ready Karnataka: Deep Tech & Skill Synergy for the Global Economic Leap’ convened senior government officials and industry leaders to deliberate on deep tech, skilling, GCC evolution, and advanced manufacturing, reinforcing Karnataka’s global innovation leadership. The chapter also curated and participated in the India–U.S. Tech Conclave at the Bengaluru Tech Summit, where U.S. companies highlighted the strategic evolution of GCCs into innovation and R&D hubs.

Economic Affairs and Policy Advocacy

Economic engagement and policy dialogue in 2025 were closely integrated with the Karnataka Chapter’s programmatic activities and member interactions. The chapter’s approach focused on facilitating structured, solution-oriented conversations between
industry, government, and knowledge partners on issues directly impacting business operations, investment confidence, and workforce readiness in the state. Through high-level government interactions with the Government of Karnataka— including engagements with, the Hon’ble Minister for Electronics, IT & Biotechnology, and senior IAS officers—the chapter supported dialogue on technology-led growth, skilling initiatives, GCC expansion, innovation ecosystems, and ease of doing business. These engagements reinforced AMCHAM’s role in aligning member capabilities with state priorities such as Nipuna Karnataka, investment facilitation, and sectoral growth across IT, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and R&D. Policy-related discussions were further advanced through focused knowledge and compliance programs, including sessions on cyber security, fraud risk, HR and statutory compliance, and labour codes, conducted in partnership with KPMG and EY. These platforms enabled members to gain clarity on regulatory changes, share operational challenges, and engage directly with subject matter experts. Feedback from these sessions highlighted practical concerns around labour codes, gratuity administration, compliance interpretation, and reporting requirements—issues that have a direct bearing on workforce models, cost structures, and organisational risk. Engagements with the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate, as well as the U.S. aerospace and defense roundtable at Aero India, complemented state-level interactions by addressing broader U.S.-India economic priorities, including technology collaboration, supply chain resilience, defense cooperation, and innovation-led partnerships. Collectively, these engagements positioned the Karnataka Chapter as a credible, program-driven platform that translates member insights into informed dialogue, supports policy awareness, and strengthens industry–government alignment through sustained engagement rather than standalone advocacy.

Planned Activities and Future Outlook

Going forward, the chapter will further sharpen its positioning by focusing on areas that clearly differentiate it from other industry associations while delivering measurable value to both members and the state. Priority areas include cyber security, investment facilitation, and R&D and innovation, with particular emphasis on increasing industry representation in innovation-led discussions that are critical to Karnataka’s future growth. AMCHAM will also strengthen its role as a neutral platform for companies entering or expanding operations in Karnataka, leveraging its deep government and industry relationships.

Policy advocacy will continue to focus on labour policy, gratuity-related issues, and compliance clarity, with an emphasis on consolidated, evidence-based representation and clearer guidance for members. In 2026, R&D and innovation are envisaged as the unifying themes anchoring engagements, with cyber security as a key cross-cutting priority. The proposed Karnataka Chapter signature conference in April 2026 offers an opportunity to integrate these themes alongside the evolving GCC landscape, the start-up ecosystem, and sector-specific emerging technologies—enabling the chapter to project a cohesive, forward-looking agenda aligned with the state’s long-term economic and innovation objectives.