Smart City to change Kerala's IT landscape dramatically
Even as the controversy surrounding the prestigious
Smart City project is raging, Kerala's IT Secretary, P
H Kurian is an optimistic man - some one who believes
that the Smart City can change Kerala's IT landscape dramatically.
While the state has been lagging behind its southern neighbors,
Kurian, believes that with projects like these in place
the state can achieve a software export target of Rs.
5000 Crores in the next 3 years. He tells us where Kerala
figures in the IT/ITeS map of the country.
1. Some time back Cochin was touted as a hot BPO destination.
But no major investments have happened over the last one-year
unlike other emerging centres like Pune. Have there been
any concrete steps in this direction? Are we close to
seeing any new deals happening?
Yes. Nasscom has rated Cochin as a 2nd best destination
for BPO in India. It is not true that major investment
has not happened during the past one year. Leela Group
has developed an infrastructure in the Infopark vicinity
of Cochin and a major US based BPO Company viz, Outsourcing
Partners International just started their operations
at Kochi in that facility. They will be ramping up the
centre to a head count of 2000 in the coming one year.
Sutherland Global Services Pvt Ltd has plans to set
up a BPO cum training facility in a 15-acre campus at
Kochi. They have identified a suitable land in the Kinfra
property at Kalamassery, Kochi. ACS, a Fortune 500 company
had started operations in Infopark during the past one
year, and is expanding with a headcount of 1100 during
this year itself. We are also in an advanced stage of
discussion with the Dubai Internet City for the expansion
of present Infopark to a 300-acre world class IT/ITES
Habitat. The scenario will undergo a dramatic change
once the Smart City is established.
2. Kerala is also clearly lacking as far as infrastructure
is concerned to attract the BPO talent. Companies might
have huge problems moving their middle and senior managers
to the state. Can we see some steps in this direction
too?
To my knowledge quite a large number of Malayalee middle
and senior Managers are willing to move to Kochi. As
mentioned above, infrastructure issue will be addressed
through the Smart City Project. L&T has taken 4
acres of land within Infopark and will complete 5 lakh
sq.ft space by the middle of 2006.
3. Kerala's software export figures for last year are
still miniscule compared to the other south Indian states.
Isn't this worrisome considering that you have been
talking about bold IT policies for the last 3-4 years?
Can you name three steps that you think will change
the scenario drastically? Any new initiatives in the
offing soon? What is the software exports target you
have fixed for over the next three years?
The Smart City at Kochi and the 2nd phase of Technopark,
Trivandrum will change the scenario drastically. Infosys
Technologies is developing a 50 acre campus in the 2nd
phase of Technopark and will be ready by July, 2006.
TCS has also taken 26 acres of land for the development
centre in the Technopark, Wipro has taken 24 acres within
the Infopark Kochi and an independent development centre
is being developed here. TCS has also moved in to the
Infopark, Kochi. US Software, another major company
has taken 36 acres of land in Technopark 2nd phase and
will set up an independent centre. With these new developments
we expect to achieve software export target of Rs. 5000
Crores in the next 3 years.
4. The state has been having an image problem for many
years now. The new controversy surrounding the smart
city at Cochin hasn't helped matters either. How do
you think Kerala will be able to fight this image problem?
Yes. Our State has been suffering from an image problem.
Such a perception has developed during the '70s and
'80s. The industrial relations of Kerala has been improving
from the '90s and is one of the best in the country
now. We are making all out efforts to communicate to
all the stakeholders about this reality. Out of the
150 IT/ ITES companies from Kerala, none have so far
faced any labour issues. The Technopark and Infopark
has not lost any working days due to labour related
issues. Power supply is also one of the best in the
country. As mentioned earlier, with the starting of
operation by Indian IT majors such an image problem
no longer exists.
5. Unlike his predecessors the current CM Oommen Chandy
is seen to be taking a more active role in promoting
IT and investments in general. How much has this contributed
to a change in the investment climate?
The efforts of the present Govt have brought in major
Indian software Companies like Wipro, TCS and Infosys
who have set up shops in Kerala and are going to ramp
up their presence in the State within the next two years.
Such majors selecting the State for investment, is an
ample testimony for the conducive investment climate
of the State.
Courtersy : bpowatchindia.com
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