Kerala steps on IT accelerator

BANGALORE: In a move aimed at attracting investors in the BPO segment, the Kerala government has announced the setting up of a BPO Park and a BPO habitat center at Kochi. The state has also rolled out new initiatives to protect intellectual property rights and develop human resources.

"We have tied up with ITES training majors for focused CRM/BPO training. In addition, we are setting up India's first BPO habitat where BPO related training would be undertaken, next month. The Government of Kerala will also be coming out with a BPO policy shortly.

"We are working towards making Kerala a zero piracy state and are also creating awareness and enforcement of protection of IPR," said Kerala IT minister Kunahalikutty. The center is expected to be built up with an investment of Rs 250 crore with the government and private investors participating.

It is noteworthy that Kochi has been ranked second in the country for providing conducive ITES environment by the Nasscom-McKinsey report, however the same report has ranked Kochi as ninth in the city perception parameter. Hence the Kerala government has engaged in a media campaign promoting the state as an ideal investment destination.

A late entrant to the IT bandwagon, Kerala, is now taking major steps to catch up with the rest of the southern states. It has tied up with the British Council to provide English language training program.

"Our efforts to emerge as leading IT hub are bearing fruit. Business houses like 24/7, Ernst & Young and Rational software have set up operations in Kerala over the past year. The Technopark that had about 3 companies in 1995 houses 56 companies today. We are currently talking with players like Wipro, Infosys, Microsoft, TCS and GE Capital to set up centers in Kerala," said the state’s IT Secretary Aruna Sundarajan.

The states software exports from the state, as of March 31, 2001, stand at Rs 250 crores while the hardware exports amounted to Rs 450 crores.

(CNS)