STPI to become corporate entity

NEW DELHI: Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), a society functioning

under the Ministry of Information Technology, is in the process of becoming a

corporate entity. According to STPI’s new Director General SN Zindal,

corporatizing this society has become essential in order to attract and retain

talented manpower and for entering into strategic alliances, which are essential

in a scenario where technology is changing at a blinding pace.

Talking about how STPI will benefit from becoming a company, Zindal said,

"STPI currently does two functions–provide statutory support to the

software industry and extend high-speed data communication facility to software

exporters and ISPs. With the opening up of the ISP sector, STPI is going to face

some tough competition. Therefore, it is important to gear up for the

competition and strengthen our commercial activities and statutory services.

This will also help us cater to a larger segment. Also, we need to tie up with

strategic partners in order to provide a full range of services." When

asked about the nature of the partnerships that STPI would like to enter, Zindal

said, "We prefer to have international leaders who will bring in the latest

technology and funds. But, it is too early to say anything for sure."

Alongside, STPI is in the process of setting up STP units in each state.

Talks are on for STPs in the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Bihar, Haryana and

Delhi. A STP at Guwahati is also being set up. "We are in talks with almost

all the state governments. The idea behind increasing the number of centers is

that we want to meet the need of the industry and contribute the maximum to the

software export target of $50 billion by 2008," said Zindal. As of now, the

STP units contribute about 60 per cent of the national software exports.

The STP in Guwahati, which is likely to be operational by August 2000, will

become a hub, catering to the entire North Eastern region of the country. Around

19 units have already been approved under the STP scheme.