NeST to set up IT clusters in Kerala

R. Sreekumar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In response to Kerala Government's announcement in the new IT policy to provide incentives for promoting private technology parks, the state's major IT group Network Systems and Technologies (NeST) has announced its decision to set up `IT clusters' modeled on the Technopark at Thiruvananthapuram. The IT clusters to be set up first in Kochi and Kozhikode will have the facilities provided by Technopark in terms of built-up space and connectivity and also will have enhanced facilities such as living apartments, schools and hospitals for IT professionals, according to Javed Hassan, Chairman of NeST group.

He said that micro versions of IT clusters could be replicated in all districts of the state. This would be much more effective than setting up Technoparks, he added. The micro clusters could be suitable for promoting small and medium units in both hardware and software sector, Hassan said. The first two IT clusters in Kochi and Kozhikode would together generate additional employment to 3000 IT professionals over a period of seven years. NeST Group has over 24 companies in its fold and it employs over 3500 people at its offices in Canada, Australia, Japan and Middle East. In Kerala the company has over 300 people employed in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram units.

In the current year, software exports by NeST from the state is expected to reach a level of Rs 300 crore. Among the expansion plans of the diversified activities of NeST group which includes curry powders, PCs, mineral water, cyber training centers include the setting up of a channel, according to Managing Director N Jehangir. In the IT, telecom sector, NeST has a wide range of activities in ecommerce, networking products, ERP solutions, manufacturing automation, embedded software and was among the first companies to get ISO 9001 and SEI-CMM Level 5 certification in Kerala. Hassan said that Kerala had the resources for expansion of IT industry, but the government should ensure uninterrupted power supply and other basic infrastructure. He denied reports that many proposals in the new IT policy were tailor made to favor the NeST group. Such allegations will only discourage genuine young entrepreneurs from starting new ventures, he added.