Software exports from Karnataka rises by 30%

BANGALORE: Software exports from Karnataka in the first half of

1999-2000 jumped by 30 per cent to Rs 1,400 crore over the same period last

year, said Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), Bangalore director B. V.

Naidu.

Mr Naidu said the software exports from the state is expected to touch Rs

4,800 crore in 1999-2000 from Rs 3,400 crore last year. During the first six

months of the year, all-India exports were in the range of Rs.3,500 crore, he

said. He also added that he is not of the opinion that software exports from

India this year is unlikely to reach the expected levels.

Noting that STPI has recently established a satellite gateway at Manipal, Mr

Naidu said STPI, Bangalore is striving to strengthen infrastructure for the

software sector in the State. A software gateway would come up at Hubli, he

added. He also said the STPI has taken several initiatives to boost software

exports from Karnataka. Recently, it has commissioned a satellite gateway at

Manipal at a cost of Rs 2 crore, where Synopsys has set up a chip design

facility. It would soon link Mangalore with Manipal. The newly built STP at

Hubli would be inaugurated shortly, he said, adding that so far STPI has

invested Rs 30 crore for providing infrastructure at Bangalore.