US IT firms keen on Jalandhar

A delegation of Punjab Infotech, which is currently in the United States, has got overwhelming response from information technology (IT) companies for investment in Punjab, for which some agreements are expected to be signed during the tour.

"After Bangalore and Hyderabad, now the American IT companies are interested in investing in Punjab, for which the state government has offered them facilities including land and other forms of infrastructure in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ropar, and Patiala," Anil Dutta, vice-chairman of Punjab Infotech, said on the phone from the US.

Agreements with three big IT companies of states had been finalised, he added.

The delegation comprised Chairman Randeep Singh Nabha, Principal Secretary to the IT department N S Kalsi, and executive director R K Nangia.

"Most knowledge-based companies in the US want to set up base in Punjab and some of them have even given the commitment," Dutta said.

Several entrepreneurs approached the delegation on setting up call centres, for which Jalandhar was their top preference.

He said Mohali had become attractive for foreign investors and there Quark Inc was working on its $500-million project.

He said tomorrow the delegation would visit Canada, where Chief Minister Amarinder Singh would join them. Singh would inaugurate the "Made in Punjab" show in Canada to apprise NRIs and companies of developments in the state, he added.