Mait Calls For More Focus On It Design

The Manufacturers Association of Information Technology (MAIT) is setting the wheels in motion to transform the country into the `IT design centre' of the world by 2005.

If the apex body of domestic information technology (IT) hardware industry succeeds in its efforts, it should see exports of design services and manufactured goods climbing to over $5 billion per year from 2005.

MAIT seeks to impress upon the centre the tremendous potential in this arena.

It has urged the government to aid in transforming the country into a hot shot IT design centre by 2005.

MAIT also called for assistance in projecting the right image in world markets. It also wants `techno parks' specifically built for design and hardware manufacturing with a single point customs clearance.

The comes in the wake of MAIT recently expressing its disappointment over `software centric' IT task force recommendations.

MAIT believes that India widen its focus and aim for being more than just an `IT superpower.'

According to it, making the country a top global IT design centre will have several benefits. First, it will encourage local manufacture of hardware products. This is because there is a natural tendency to combine design and manufacture wherever feasible. As a result, it will generate employment at all levels.

Unlike software, hardware manufacturing requires the use of semi-skilled and unskilled labour. This, in turn, will help balance and broaden the depth of India's IT expertise.

Mait has chosen the theme "Transforming India into the World's No 1 Design Centre_Strategices and Processes," for its annual conference which began in New Delhi yesterday. According to it, design is a significant force in the IT world.

Another area is development and manufacture of computer peripherals. The entire product is designed in the country. Moulds are made both in India and overseas, with manufacture taking place locally.