December 5, 2008

Despite Slowdown, IT Sector in Kolkata continues to grow


KOLKATA, 5th December,2008: In the wake of the withdrawal of Tatas from Singur and the global financial crisis, the mood in Kolkata was indeed somber, but the investments in the IT sector continued to flow in. On 10th September, 2008, DQ Entertainment, the biggest animation company in the country, opened its Kolkata Production Centre which was inaugurated by the Chief Minister.

Soon thereafter, the foundation stone of the tallest (41-storeyed) IT Park was laid by the Hon’ble Minister for IT Department in Haldia which is part of the State Government policy to take IT industry to other towns in the State for a more inclusive growth. On 5th October, 2008, the Hon'ble Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of Orion IT Park and SEZ at Rajarhat. The presence of the Hon'ble External Affairs Minister, Government of India, on this occasion along with His Excellency the Japanese Ambassador to India, underlines the focus on Japan in this Park which will also have a Japan Village to facilitate Indo-Japanese collaborations in the IT sector.

Thus, the growth in the IT sector in West Bengal continues unabated even in these uncertain times. With a view to further fuel the industrial growth in the State, a 500-acre SEZ near Siliguri has been announced by the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. (WBIDC), which will have an exclusive IT Park. The ASSOCHAM survey has also focussed on Bengal as a hotspot for investments.

The other developments during this period highlight the direction IT industry is taking in the field of research and development, human resource development, cyber security, testing and benchmarking and enhancing efficiency. Thus, the industry is using this slowdown as an opportunity to innovate, improve quality and increase productivity. The increased number of mobile telephone connections in the City and the State, however, defy any hints of a slowdown.

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