Software exports likely to touch Rs 1,800 cr

Software exports from the Chandigarh capital region (comprising Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali) is likely to increase by 15 per cent to Rs 1,800 crore in the current financial year, as against Rs 1,565 crore in 2010-11.

“The software exports from the region was Rs 1,421 crore during April- December 2011, as against Rs 1,129 crore during the corresponding period of previous year,” said Software Technology Park of India (STPI) Mohali, joint director, Ajay P Srivastava “Considering this surge in exports, we are hopeful of an export turnover of Rs 1,800 crore by the end of this financial year," he told reporters on the sidelines of an interactive session organised by the Federation of Indian Cham-bers of Commerce and Indu-stry, Punjab and Haryana in association with Tie (The Indus Entrepreneur).

“Growth in this region has been fueled largely by growth of SMEs (small and medium enterprises), which contributes about 40 per cent of the total software exports,” Srivastava added. In the last few years, the region has attracted many new start ups and number of IT/ITES units increased from 145 in 2002-03 to 295 in 2011-12. This year, over 15 new software companies, especially SMEs, registered with STPI and commenced operations from the Chandigarh region.

The software exports from the region was Rs 1,565 crore in FY 2010-11, registering a 31 per cent growth over the previous year. In FY 2009-10 total exports from the region was to the tune of Rs 1,196.58 crore.

Out of total exports in FY2010-11, exports amounting to Rs 8,52.33 crore was contributed by units which registered with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and Rs 713 crore by units located in special economic zones (SEZs). Also, in FY10-11, Infosys Ltd, Dell International Services, IDS Infotech, Nvish Solutions and Emerson Design Engineering Centre were among the top five exporters from the Chandigarh capital region. In 2009-10, the software exports from Chandigarh region was Rs 1,196.58 crore (including exports from SEZs).

Further, in order to facilitate the IT companies registered with it STPI, Mohali is setting up a new office in Mohali with an investment of Rs 40 crore. Spread over one lakh square feet, the office would have data centre, incubation centre and an administrative office. The proposed facility likely to be completed in two years would boast of incubation centre, having plug in play facilities and spread over 60,000 square feet.