KOCHI: Kochi is slowly getting recognition as an information technology (IT) destination. This augurs well for investment in the IT sector, according to K.G. Girish Babu, CEO of Infopark. He was speaking at a seminar on ``Promising avenues of exports,'' organised by the Indian Institute of Trade & Taxes, a Chennai-based organisation here on Saturday.

Multinationals prefer to set up shop in Chennai because of a relatively trouble-free environment. Stability of business comes from a good work culture. "Kerala has an excellent work culture in IT; we are very close to Chennai," he said.

Citing advantages of Kochi, he said the cost of operation is substantially less, about 31 per cent in real terms, compared to Bangalore. This enables companies to save money. Keralites have good learning skills. There is a very low rate of attrition in IT in the State whereas it is as high as 35 per cent in Bangalore and 65 per cent at Noida. Keralites are quite loyal to the company they are working for, he said.

Mr. Girish Babu said the road connection between Kochi and Bangalore is turning to be another advantage for Kochi. With the rise in cost of living in Bangalore, which is already a crowded city, people are looking towards Kochi as an alternative IT destination. More than 30 per cent of the IT workforce in Bangalore are Keralites and many of them prefer to come to Kochi, he pointed out.

The investment climate has improved with the good word on Kerala work culture spreading across the country and beyond. In fact, employees working in IT companies are keen on completing the assigned job, working well beyond office hours, he said.

V.J. Jayakumar, CEO of Technopark, said a Technocity is being planned in Thiruvananthapuram. It is envisaged to be developed in an area of 500 acres with private partnership. To be located about 5 km from the present Technopark, the Technocity will have IT park, biotech park, hospitals, schools and residential complexes. Centre for nanotechnology may also be part of the project. He said that a memorandum of understanding has been signed for setting up a National Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Enterprise at the Technopark. There were also plans to set up IT parks in Thrissur, Kottayam and other district at a later stage, he said.

S.S. Radhakrishnan, Director, IITT, welcomed the gathering. C.J. Mathew, Development Commissioner, Cochin Special Economic Zone, V.S. Sebastian, Proprietor, School of Legal Studies, Cochin University, Sathish Paul, Treasurer, CSEZ Manufacturers Association, were among the speakers.

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