Enthusiasm & Anticipation In Hyderabad IT With Newfound Focus On Innovation & Growth Clusters

The ICT (Information and Communications Technology) industry of the newly carved Telangana state put forth the industry growth recommendations to the state government. The recommendations are aimed at taking the industry to one million level in five years from the present base of 400,000 direct employees.

These recommendations, presented at the industry round table with Information Technology minister KT Rama Rao on Friday, were stated to have arrived at think-tank meetings held over past two weeks collectively by all organizations representing different facets of the IT industry.

The organisation included Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association (HYSEA, formerly ITsAP), National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM), TiE Hyderabad and American Chamber of Commerce in India (AMCHAM).

According to a press release, the recommendations primarily related to preserving the present Rs 70,000 crore industry base and aggressively growing the industry with focus on innovation and growth clusters.

The operational recommendations included the need for differentiation between IT services and product companies, provision of special status benefits, creation of transparent single window mechanism, a policy of avoidance of retrospective actions and a single entity for development related approvals for projects despite division of districts within Hyderabad. It was also suggested to focus on skill based training, increased industry connect with educational institutions and focus on developing SME segments in gaming and electronics.

Creating three growth clusters were recommended for the first phase Media City (Gaming, Animation, Media, Entertainment), R&D City for Avionics and Engineering, and EMC. These growth clusters have been recommended keeping in view the near term global investments into the state and growth potential of ICT industry. The clusters have been suggested in keeping with the domain expertise of Hyderabad.

Post the interactions, the industry expects a positive response from the IT minister. Enthusiasm and anticipation were now in place and with government’s confirmation of actions and plans, sustenance of Brand Hyderabad and present ICT industry base would be well on track, felt the industry captains.

Source: Business Standard