Tax benefits to SMEs urged
February 13th, 2012 - 7:57 pm ICT by IANSHyderabad, Feb 13 (IANS) Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC) wants the government to extend tax benefits to small and medium IT firms on par with those given to major companies in Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
With the withdrawal of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) scheme last year, the SMEs lack incentive and are yearning for IT benefits on par with SEZs.
“SMEs need help in the form of tax benefits and we are demanding that the benefits enjoyed by big firms in SEZs be extended to them,” ESC executive director D.K. Sareen told reporters here Monday.
He felt that such benefits would give a big boost to the exports by SMEs. According to him, 80 percent of the IT exports are contributed by top 200 companies while the remaining 20 percent are contributed by 2,300 firms.
The government of India sponsored organization is positive on its outlook for the next financial year. “With the positive indications from the US, the IT industry can look forward for healthier growth,” he said.
“We are on a springboard. We have great resources, manpower, physical infrastructure, ideas and all other required ingredients,” he added.
ESC expects 22.47 percent growth in IT exports during 2011-12. The total exports are projected at $77 billion. Of this, $68 billion will be computer software and services and $9.2 billion electronic hardware. By December, 2011, the country had achieved 70 percent and 80 percent targets in software and hardware respectively.
In rupee terms, the growth in electronic hardware is expected to be 10 percent and in software 24.38 percent.
The IT exports during 2010-11 were $66 billion, comprising $8.86 billion hardware and $57.61 billion software.
The United States continued to be the biggest market for Indian IT exports though its share has come down to 56 percent from the earlier 62 percent. European Union is the second biggest market, accounting for 22 percent exports.
Sareen said Japan, which is the second largest software market, accounts for only three percent exports from India and hence there is tremendous potential for growth. He also sees huge potential for promoting exports to other emerging markets like Africa, which currently accounts for four to five percent exports.
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- Kalam call for material convergence through ICT, nano - Oct 19, 2011
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- Indian IT industry's revenue up 19 percent in 2010-11 - Sep 10, 2011
- India's small IT firms to shift focus from US to new markets - Oct 20, 2008
- Karnataka moves to set up IT investment region near Bangalore - Jul 15, 2010
- Karnataka unveils new policies to boost ICT, hardware - Jun 20, 2011
- Recession-hit IT sector seeks extension of fiscal benefits - Jun 09, 2009
- India's IT industry bets on growth despite uncertainty - Jan 08, 2012
- Recession-hit IT sector wants fiscal benefits extended (Lead with corrections) - Jun 10, 2009
- Bangalore IT trade fair to focus on innovation - Oct 04, 2011
Tags: accounting, computer software, economic zones, electronic hardware, european union, executive director, export promotion council, government of india, great resources, manpower, physical infrastructure, remaining 20, rupee terms, sareen, software export, software technology parks, springboard, stpi, targets, top 200 companies