The software export turnover of tier-II cities in Tamil Nadu has more than doubled to Rs 909 crore in 2009-2010 fiscal year. An encouraged state government is planning to set up more IT parks in those cities, said Poongodhai Aladi Aruna, minister for information technology, on Wednesday.

Replying to a question raised by PMK leader G K Mani in Assembly, the minister said that in FY2010 the software exports turnover of tier-II cities was Rs 908.70 crore compared with Rs 445.34 crore in FY2009.

Claiming that Tamil Nadu is the only state which took a major initiative to set up IT parks in tier-II and tier-III cities, Poongodhai said the state government has invested Rs 650 crore for the proposed IT parks in Madurai, Tiruchirapalli, Salem, Tirunelveli, Vellore and Hosur.

She said that the proposed IT park in Salem, coming up in an area of over 160 acres, would be completed in the next four months at a cost of Rs 10 crore.

On a question on employing local talent in IT firms, the minister said the state government is trying its level best in requesting all the IT companies to give jobs to local people.

Source: India Brand Equity Foundation
Date: January 13, 2011