Thaindian News

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 19 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Thursday said his government would consider reducing the operating costs of IT companies functioning out of state-owned IT parks to attract more investment.

“This is part of the strategy of the state government to attract the major chunk of the Rs.10 lakh-crore business turnover expected from IT sector in 2020 to Kerala,” said Chandy, inaugurating the India IT Summit 2012 — Business Strategies for Non-Linear Growth.

The current rates in IT parks across the state vary from
Rs.15 per sq.ft to Rs.30 per sq.ft depending on the facilities provided by the state government in the various IT parks including the Technopark in the state capital, Infopark at Kochi and the IT park at Koratty.

Chandy also said that schemes will be formulated to create attract prominent international companies to invest in Kerala.

“The government will also facilitate for setting up Information Technology Special Investment Regions in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode.

Priority will be given to the development of basic infrastructure projects required for IT besides the single window network will be made effective,” added Chandy.

He said a Kerala model IT policy would be formulated for implementation which would provide employment to thousands of educated rural youth.

Industries Minister P.K. Kunahlikutty said the IT sector had become one of the most significant growth catalysts for the Kerala economy.

“Kerala’s IT industry has built up valuable brand equity for itself in the global markets. To tap the emerging potential the state government will ensure single window clearance for projects worth more than Rs.100 crores,” said Kunhalikutty.