The Hindu : Front Page : State to promote four satellite IT destinations

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 01, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

State to promote four satellite IT destinations

Staff Reporter

Information Technology fair begins in Kochi Infopark

LINE UP FOR JOB: The IT Kerala 2006 has proved to be a good attraction for young job aspirants in the State. Photo: H. Vibhu

KOCHI: The Kerala Government will position Kottayam, Thrissur, Kannur and Kozhikode as satellite IT destinations in the State as IT activities are now concentrated around the State capital Thiruvananthapuram and the commercial hub Kochi, said Finance Minister Vakkom Purushothaman here on Tuesday.

The Minister was speaking at the inauguration of IT Kerala 2006 at the Infopark in Kakkanad here. He said that the Government would continue to play the role of a facilitator in developing new destinations for IT. He called upon private players to turn the State into a hub for information technology business.

Mr. Purushothaman, standing in for Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who is hospitalised after a hip fracture at Davos in Switzerland, said that the State had made rapid strides in the IT sector.

The Chief Minister, in a telephonic message to the audience at the inauguration, wished the IT show all success and congratulated the organisers, Kerala State IT Mission.

Mr. Purushothaman said that the Government had finalised plans for setting up a techno city near Thiruvananthapuram on a 20-hectare plot. It would be complete with all the facilities.

The Finance Minister earlier inaugurated the Rs.40-crore 2.50-lakh sq ft Vismaya IT complex. Mr. Purushothaman called it a wonder and said that he was proud all these were happening in the State.

Industries Minister V.K. Ebrahim Kunju delivered the presidential address. He called upon IT companies to use the vast human resource available in Kerala to their advantage. He said that the State also offered a cost advantage over the other destinations.

The Minister described the current progress of the State Government in attracting big players in the IT field as an endorsement of the policies and programmes adopted by the State.

IT Secretary to the State Government P.H. Kurien welcomed the gathering. K. Babu, MLA; Ikkoran Master, president of the block panchayat; Sabitha Karim, president of the Thrikkakara grama panchayat; Anand Singh, Director, Kerala IT Mission; K.G. Girish Babu, CEO, Infopark; and V.N.P. Kaimal, MD, Kinfra Park, were among those present at the inauguration.

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