Andhra Pradesh to host major IT event in March

HYDERABAD, INDIA: Andhra Pradesh will organize a two-day IT conference and exhibition March 1 and 2 in Hyderabad to project itself as the most preferred IT destination.

IT Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah Thursday announced the event 'Advantage AP-annual IT summit 2011', the first of its kind event by the state government, to promote brand Andhra Pradesh.

To be organized jointly by Information Technology and Communications Department, Governmrnt of India in association with IT and ITES Industry Association of Andhra Pradesh (ITsAP) and Software Technology Park of India (STPI), Hyderabad, the annual event will focus on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and promote tier-II cities.

The conference will provide a forum for IT and ITES companies, IT infrastructure developers, academic institutions, governments and end customers of various industries to collaborate and leverage the enablingenvironment that Andhra Pradesh has to offer.

The minister said the government was keen to make Andhra Pradesh the number one in IT exports in the country. It presently occupies fourth position.

The participants in the event will get firsthand experience of why the state has quickly become the most preferred destination for the IT and ITES industry.

L. Suresh, president, ITsAP, said the 3,200 sq mt exhibition space at the event will enable participating companies to showcase the products developed in the state. Awards will be presented to companies in recognition of their excellent performance.

The seminars will deliberate on startup eco-system, new technologies, business models and innovation.

Ratna Prabha, principal secretary, IT, pointed out that Andhra Pradesh, which started its IT journey 10 to 15 years after its competitors like Karnataka, has been growing consistently above the national average.

During 2009-10, the IT exports from the state were Rs.33,482 crore, contributing 15 percent to the country's overall IT exports. It hopes to register a minimum of Rs.36,000 crore exports during the current financial year.

"This time last year the IT exports were Rs.18,000 crore and this year we have already crossed Rs.25,000 crore. We hope to do a minimum of Rs.36,000 crore exports this year as the last quarter also yields goods results," she said.

Claiming that the sector was witnessing silent growth despite all the speculations and apprehensions, the official pointed out that during 2010, 42 lakh sft of IT space was sold or leased against 87 lakh sft taken during last three to four years.

As part of its efforts to develop tier-II cities, the government has decided to set up IT towers in Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Warangal.