Infosys hopeful of resolving SEZ issue with Bengal govt

Infosys, which is seeking SEZ status for its proposed unit in Kolkata, today said it is hopeful of resolving the issue with the state government.

"We are having discussions with West Bengal government. We will not take any hasty decision. I am hopeful the issue will be resolved," Infosys Technologies Executive Co-Chairman Kris Gopalakrishnan told reporters here.

When asked if the company would cancel its plans to set up the facility in Kolkata, he said the company has not yet taken any decision on the issue.

Earlier, Infosys had written a letter to Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) requesting SEZ status for its unit in Kolkata. The company has been allocated 50 acres of land in Rajarhat area.

State Industry & IT Minister Partha Chatterjee had earlier said that the government would not encourage any SEZ in the state. Last month, WB government had asked the IT major to come out with an alternative plan rather than seeking SEZ status for its facility.

Meanwhile, talking about the IT industry prospects, Gopalakrishnan said IT industry would have a difficult period for next two to three years, but a 13-15% growth under the prevailing conditions is good.

"Infact IT industry is growing faster than the national GDP or world economy," he added.

In second week of February, IT industry body Nasscom projected the industry to grow between 11 and 14% during fiscal 2012-12.

Gopalakrishnan said things have started to look better in US and Europe, but there would be a slow recovery.

"There is some confidence that issues related to Greece will be resolved. We hope we will not face 2008 catastrophe," he said.