Pune SW exports hover around $1 b

PUNE: Despite a quantum jump of 50 percent in 2003-04 over the previous fiscal, the software exports from Pune have not crossed the magical $one billion-mark. The exports fell short of the figure by Rs 200 crore.

Software Technology Parks of India, Pune executive director, SK Gupta was however confident that the city would continue to keep up its 50 percent growth rate in the forthcoming year. "There is nothing much to worry about. We had projected the $ one billion mark considering the fact that more than 100 companies were registered by STPI in Pune last year. While these companies began work, they did not start billing yet," he explained.

Pune managed to touch the Rs 4,200 crore mark even as experts projected a figure of Rs 4,400 crore. Gupta was confident that the city would continue to maintain its blistering pace of growth this year due to the entry of some large software companies in Pune.

"Wipro Spectramind alone accounted for Rs 12 crore in the last quarter. If we look at these figures, many other companies are expected to perform well and this will reflect in the growth figures," he said. Last year, majors such as EDS, Amdocs, Aviva, Convergys, vCustomer, HSBC set up shop in Pune. Until May this year, STPI registered another 15 units.

The incubation center established by STPI is packed. Gupta said that they needed more space, which will be met in the additional 150 acres, released for the third phase of the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park, Hinjewadi. Gupta said that MIDC was in the process of land acquisition.

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