INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Creating a new state of opportunity. Total venture support from the State. With its intrinsic advantages, Kerala offers immense opportunity for investment in the IT industry.

Government agencies have geared up to encourage new ventures in this sector. No state level clearances are required to set up IT projects here. And the Government offers total venture support to investors. Financial benefits . Venture Capital Fund for financial assistance to new IT and high-tech ventures. Outright grant of 20% of Fixed Capital Investment subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2.5 million per project Exemption from tax for the first 7 years. Grant of 50% of the cost of project feasibility studies for medium and large scale industries. Duty-free imports and income tax exemption for EOUs . Exemption from stamp duty/ registration charge for purchase and sale of land/built-up space. Priority in sanction and servicing of power. Exemption from the purview of the Pollution Control Act .

Setting trends in e-governance, the Information Kerala project of the State Government is a trendsetter in the deployment of technology at the grassroots level and a model for participatory governance through the effective use of Information Technology. The project aims at modernisation and integration of government functions using IT by: Networking and computerising the 1214 local self-governing bodies to expedite transactions like issue of certificates, licenses, tax collection etc. Training and orientation of personnel at all levels of village, district and state governing bodies. Setting up internet kiosks, accessible to the public in every Panchayat ward. Achievements in e-governance . Kumarakom Panchayat in Kottayam district has become a model for e-governance. 152 development blocks in the State connected -a first-of-its-kind achievement in the country. All treasuries/subtreasuries in the State networked . Cooperative banks networked . Secretariat Wide Area Network linking the offices of the ministers, Secretaries and departments.

The kind of development envisaged along with the drive to computerise all sections of activity in the State has also opened up a promising domestic market for IT products. To know more about the IT investment opportunities in Kerala, talk to:

Mrs.Aruna Sundara Rajan, Secretary, Fax & Telephone: 0471-327243, DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, Narayana Bhavan, Kurup's Lane, Sasthamangalam,

Trivandrum 695 010 Kerala , India,Fax: 314284 , e-mail: itmission@vsnl.com



TECHNOPARK


Electronics Technology Park (Technopark) was set up by the State Government according to the Travancore-Cochin Scientific, Literary and Charitable Registration Act of 1955 in order to achieve progress in the Electroncs and Information Technology sectors. A working committee headed by the Industries Minister and a Programme Implementation Board headed by the Industries Secretary provide the guidelines for Technopark and monitor the progress of development. The day to day working of Technopark is done by a 12 member team of officers headed by a Chief Executive Officer.
Today there are 45 national and international companies working in Technopark. Of these, 32 companies (foreign-13, NRI-9, Indian-10) began functioning during the present Government’s regime. Of these 42 companies, 30% are American companies, 30% European companies, 10% are form Gulf states, 25% from Kerala and balance 5% are form other states in India. These companies are engaged in areas such as smart card. Telecom software, E-commerce, networking, CAD engineering software, E-commerce, networking, CAD engineering software and I.T. enabled services. The value of exports which was Rs. 27 crores in 1997-98, rose to Rs. 55 crores in 1998-99. In 1998 the company which got the recognition as the best exporter is Nest of the Technopark. During this period the investment that was made in Technopark amounted to Rs 64.60 crores (Foreign Companies Rs. 30.75 crores, NRI’s Rs. 17.65 crores, and Indian Rs. 15.20 crores). Of these, the investment in Electronics Hardware was Rs. 14.00 crores, and software Rs. 50.60 crores. New employment opportunities were created for 2000 persons since the present Government took over (total employment is 3000). In addition, there are about 1500 trainees in the campus (Tata Consultancy Services Private Ltd.) Indirect employment of 10,000 was also created in the Technopark units Until now the State Government has invested Rs. 72 crores in the Technopark. Of these, Rs. 30 crores was invested during the period of the present Government. The Technopark is situated in 142 acres of the Kariyavattam Campus and 56 acres of the Aakkulam Campus. Initial construction activities commenced in the Technopark in June 1992 and the first company started working in September 1994.The Technopark has allocated a total area of 7 lakh square ft, of developed land for setting up of units and their activities. As and when this area is exhausted by occupation by units, new structures will be constructed. On June 1999, a 110 KV substation built with the assistance of KSEB was inaugurated by the State Electricity Minister. For the use of Technopark 10 MW of power has been earmarked separately. The school for Information Technology and Management (SITMA) started functioning at the Technopark. The responsibility for the functioning of SITMA rests with the KSIDC. The new earth satellite station of VSNL will become operational shortly. This is in addition to the satellite station supervised by the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) which began functioning in the Technopark in January 1994. With this, the international telecommunication network throughout Kerala could be improved significantly in Technopark also.

In addition to the service of the Telecom Department, a private telephone exchange service has been started by BPL Telecom. On July 28, 1997 the foundation stone for a new building Electronics Niketan was laid by the Industries Minister with a view to attracting central agencies such as EP & DCY, ERTI and STPT to the Technopark. The first stage of the company expansion scheme intended for information technology companies has been successfully completed with the assistance of Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA). International Business Incubation System (IBIS) under the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) intends to undertake indusstrial development activities in Kerala.

Technopark will function as the agent for UNIDO in these activities in Thiruvananthapuram. The first workshop in this regard was held in December 1997. Technopark has created facilities for the university students of Kerala and outside to do project work in engineering, business and administration. At present facilities are available for about 2100 students to work simultaneously. One of the basic aims of Technopark is to act as a catalyst in University – Industry relations. As part of this, Technopark is organising every year a product design competition for the students of engineering colleges of Kerala. Also the Technopark allows those students who get the first and second places to develop their inventions.