Reviving North Karnataka’s industrial spirit with INCOMEX

Hubballi

After a decade-long hiatus, the Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) is set to host its flagship industrial extravaganza, INCOMEX 2026. As the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad prepare for this mega-event, Uday M Revankar, Honorary Secretary of KCCI, speaks to News Trail about the uniqueness of this edition, the roadmap for the "Beyond Bengaluru" initiative, and the challenges facing North Karnataka’s MSMEs.

INCOMEX 2026 is returning after a gap of 10 years. What makes this edition unique compared to previous ones?
Uday Revankar: It is indeed a significant milestone. The highlight this time is the unprecedented participation of four major Indian Railway zones. For the first time, the Modern Coach Factory (Raebareli), Rail Coach Factory (Kapurthala), ICF (Chennai), and the Rail Wheel Factory (Yelahanka) are exhibiting together. They aren't just displaying products; they are part of a Vendor Development Program. Since they manufacture Vande Bharat rakes, their procurement needs are massive. This could be a game-changer for local MSMEs looking to enter the railway supply chain.

Startups are a major focus this year. What is KCCI doing to encourage young entrepreneurs in this region?
Uday Revankar: We are providing free stalls to around 20 promising startups from our region, even though it means losing over ?20 lakh in potential revenue. We’ve also partnered with IIT Dharwad, KLE Tech, and KDEM to conduct an ‘Idea Sprint’ competition. Out of many entries, 27 have been shortlisted to pitch their ideas to mentors and investors during the event. Our goal is to ensure North Karnataka is not just a manufacturing hub but an innovation hub as well.

You mentioned conducting several conclaves during the event. What is the logic behind these focused sessions?
Uday Revankar: We want INCOMEX to have a tangible outcome, not just be a display of stalls. On April 26th, we have the Emerging North Karnataka Conclave. There is currently a gap between the bureaucracy, the political class, and the industry. KCCI wants to bridge this. We will be identifying the top 10 challenges in each sector—be it Agriculture, Logistics, or MSMEs—and releasing a "White Paper" with recommendations for the government. We won't stop there; the Chamber will review these periodically until the ministry addresses them.

Agriculture is the backbone of this region. How does INCOMEX address the issues of our farmers?
Uday Revankar: The bridge between research institutes, farmers, and industry is broken. For instance, our groundnut oil is sometimes rejected for export due to pesticide residue, or chilies are rejected due to fungal growth because of improper drying. The farmer often doesn't know what the industry needs. Our Agriculture Conclave on the 27th, attended by Minister Shivanand Patil and Ashok Dalwai, will focus on aligning farm production with industrial quality standards to ensure farmers get a better price.

Logistics and Exports have always been hurdles for North Karnataka. Is there a plan to fix this?
Uday Revankar: Yes, on the 28th, we have a Logistics Summit with the Mormugao Port Authority, the Railways, and shipping companies. We are pushing for better movement for exporters. We are also highlighting the 29 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) recently signed by the Government of India. Many local businesses don't realize they can showcase their products globally under these agreements. We want to bring "Global Trade Connect" to Hubballi.

There is a lot of talk about the "Beyond Bengaluru" strategy. Why has it been difficult to see the same growth in Hubballi-Dharwad?
Uday Revankar: Growth requires political will and the right infrastructure. If we want to attract investment, we need single-window clearances that actually work. We also need specialized industrial belts. If you bring one large automobile parent industry here, the auxiliary units will follow automatically. Right now, the land prices are a major deterrent. For example, the FMCG cluster land price has shot up from ?90 lakhs to ?1.62 crores. We’ve requested the government for a 50% waiver, similar to what was given to the Ballari Jeans cluster, to make it viable.

Finally, what is KCCI’s role in solving the skilled labor shortage in the region?
Uday Revankar: We are part of a pilot project with the EkStep Foundation, an initiative by Nandan Nilekani. It’s a platform that connects skilled labor—like welders or ITI graduates—directly with local employers. Interestingly, our research shows Hubballi-Dharwad has the highest density of ITI-skilled force in India. This model is so successful that states like Maharashtra and UP are looking to replicate it. We want to ensure our talent stays and grows right here in North Karnataka.