Bengal software exports to exceed target

The IT sector in Kolkata is set to clock in software exports in excess of Rs 2,500 crore, this financial year.

S N Zindal, director Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) said that the sector had registered exports of around Rs 1,600 crore and would close the current financial year with exports in the region of Rs 2,500 crore.

However, state IT minister, Manabendra Mukherjee said, exports at the end of the year would exceed Rs 2,500 crore.

At present, there were 250 IT and ITES companies in Kolkata with an employee strength of around 21,000.

But, the IT department was endeavouring to take the companies beyond Kolkata and as a step in this direction, the IT department today signed an MoU with STPI for setting up facilities in Siliguri and Haldia, taking the number of STPI facilities in the state to five.

Zindal said, West Bengal was among the few states to have five STPI facilities. He added, "In 4-5 years, West Bengal will be comparable to other states."

Mukherjee said, the sector was becoming Kolkata-centric and hence the decision to take the companies beyond the boundaries of the city.

State IT secretary, G D Gautama said, Kolkata had a 5.1 per cent share of total IT and ITES revenues in the country and the target was to take the share to 15 per cent.

In Kolkata, the first STPI facility was established in Kolkata in 2001. Last year, STPI has set up two more earth stations at Durgapur and Kharagpur.

Further, the state government also announced its plans for the second phase of Rajarhat development or Knowledge Corridor II. The total land that would be allotted for IT and ITES companies in the second phase was 200 acres.

In the first phase, 100 acres of land was allotted and it was totally sold out.