PC, laptop makers rush to cash in on Flood IT project in Gujarat

With the launch of Flood IT project second edition by Gujarat Urban Bank Co-operative Banks Federation (GUBCBF) leading personal computer (PC) and laptop manufacturers have rushed to join the project in a hope to capture maximum market in the Gujarat.

GUBCBF had started Flood IT project in 2009 for information and technology (IT) revolution in the state. While at that time only three companies had shown interest in it, success of the project has now seen seven IT companies has collaborate with this project in 2013.

In the second edition of the Flood IT project, Hewlett-Packard India (HP), Toshiba, Lenovo, Wipro, HCL, Fujitsu and E-sense have collaboratively tied up with GUBCBF. What's more, Airtel and McAfee are also participating in the project for Internet and antivirus services under the project.

Commenting on the partnership, Sivakumar N., Vice President - Sales & Marketing (PC Business) - DS Division, Toshiba India Pvt. Ltd. said, "We are proud to partner this program that will give a strong fillip to the IT revolution in the state. Consumers can now buy the latest Toshiba C850-P0012 laptop for as low as 12 EMIs of Rs 1,350 after making a down payment of Rs 6,900 only. The easy EMI options and the zero interest loans will encourage more students and SOHOs to opt for superior performance high quality Toshiba laptops that are most appropriate for their requirements."

According to Jyotindra Mehta, chairman GUBCBF, in the previous edition, co-operative banks had given loans for 100,000 computers. "However, this time we are targeting loans for 300,000 computeRs under the project," said Mehta.

In an earlier study on Flood IT project's first edition, the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A), 145 co-operative banks and 100 cooperative societies had participated in 2009-10. Due to this project, sales of the computer in Gujarat increased almost 30 percent and around 7,500 new members were added in cooperatives banks.

Yogesh Thakkar, president of Federation of Information Technology Association of Gujarat (FITAG) said, "We are expecting good growth of IT sector in Gujarat because of Flood IT. Like last time we believe that computer sale can be increased by 20 to 30 percent this time."

"Flood IT is cooperative bank's project and response from rural areas was very good last time as cooperative banks are in more strong position in villages and small town. This time, reply from rural areas will defiantly increase," said Narendra Bhetaria, president of Ahmedabad Computer Merchant Association (ACMA) and Samir Desai, president of Rajkot Computer Traders Association (RCTA).