Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday reassured the IT industry that the state government will not lag in providing the necessary infrastructure facilities for their growth and expansion.
"The spectacular IT growth story of India is led by Karnataka, thanks to the availability of highly skilled professionals, dynamic entrepreneurs, a vibrant eco-system, and industry-friendly policies of the State. Karnataka is contributing to over 30 per cent of the IT exports of the country," Siddaramaiah said.
Inaugurating 'CeBIT India 2014' here, billed as the world's largest business IT and ICT event, he said the state has contributed IT exports of about Rs 1.80 lakh crore in the financial year 2013-14. Of the 30 lakh software professionals directly employed by the IT sector in the country, over 10 lakh are employed in Karnataka alone.
"The contribution of IT to Karnataka's Gross Domestic Product is over 20 per cent. The success story of the multi-national companies operating in Bangalore goes to indicate the tremendous confidence that the industry has in the government and the people of the state," he added.
CeBIT India is being held in association with Bangalore ITE.biz, India's flagship ICT event of Karnataka government. The India event is the only CeBIT show to be held in the Asia - Pacific region.
Reassuring the IT and BT sectors that the state government will not be found lagging in providing necessary infrastructure for their growth and expansion, Siddaramaiah said "We will do all that is necessary for the IT sector to flourish."
The state's IT sector, which contributes over one third of IT exports of the country, has provided jobs to over 10 lakh and is instrumental in creating about 30 lakh indirect jobs, will continue to thrive in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah said.
He said he had recently directed Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board to complete the acquisition process for the first phase of 2072 acres of land required for ITIR (Information Technology Investment Region) project immediately, "if necessary by raising loan from HUDCO for payment of compensation to the land owners." "The ITIR, when completed, is expected to bring in an investment of over US $20 billion, create 1.2 million direct jobs and 2.8 million indirect jobs. The annual revenue generation is expected to be over USD 40 billion as per the estimates made through a consultant study. " Speaking at the event, IT Secretary Government of Karnataka Srivatsa Krishna questioned the media about speculating on IT industry in Karnataka migrating to neighboring states.
"I wonder why there is too much speculation in the media that the IT industry is going away. If the IT industry was going away would CeBIT be coming all the way from Germany and settle in Bangalore? They could have gone to Delhi, they could have gone to Bombay, they could have gone to Hyderabad, they could have gone anywhere they wanted, yet they choose to come here."
Comparing IT exports, investments and job creation figures of Karnataka with Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, he said "....our competition is only with Silicon Valley of United States."
Noting that Bangalore continues to be the IT capital of the country, Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman - Karnataka Vision Group on Information Technology and Former Vice Chairman, Infosys Limited, in his address advocated the need to continue this momentum.
He said "....we need to continue to maintain this momentum, this is not the job of the government only , but also of the industry, academia....., we must sustain this leadership"
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