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 Today’s Kolkata is the buzzword in the nation’s IT sector. Almost all the big names in the IT sector are in Kolkata today. And the city is catching up fast with other IT metros.
Kolkata’s key value proposition for companies in other states include a large talent pool with high intellectual and analytical skill base in addition to excellent physical and social infrastructure, quality telecom and power infrastructure and the commitment of the government in ensuring a smooth set-up and operating environment for investors.
Saltlec’s Sector V is now the hottest IT destination in West Bengal. India’s first fully integrated Electronics Complex in Salt lake City, Kolkata – fondly referred to as Sector V – is spread across 150 acres of green, pollution-free land near the airport and houses over 175 IT companies and 15,000 professionals.
It is this synergy that has drawn many prominent companies such as the Chennai based Cognizant Technology Solutions, a leading provider of IT Services and AIG, the world’s leading international insurance and financial services organisation, to expand their operations to Kolkata rather than other destinations. Cognizant Technology Solutions has a world class Offshore Development Centre at the Salt Lake IT Hub in Kolkata and has invested in additional land to expand their Kolkata operations. After setting up their first centre in Chennai, AIG too chose Kolkata as the site for their second hub based on Kolkata’s inherent strengths in insurance and accounting verticals.
Kolkata offers about 580 Mbps of international satellite connectivity through VSNL and STPI. Software exports from the state have doubled from $ 167 M in 01-02 to $ 289 M in 02-03. The state is benchmarking itself against the best in the country and is aiming to rank among top-3 IT States of India by 2010. The fastest growing STP in the country.
The Government of West Bengal is currently a participant at Connect 2003, an ICT show organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and has met over 27 investors and presented to them West Bengal’s compelling value proposition composed of talent, low operation cost, policy, incentives and investor support. The Government is also offering investors flexible incentive packages, availability of built up space and ‘walk-in’ physical infrastructure at Salt Lake IT hub and other IT parks around Kolkata as well as a Single Window Support Centre to facilitate a smooth set-up and operations.
West Bengal currently has a thriving IT industry with over 175 companies employing 15,000 IT professionals including global players like Tata Consultancy Services, IBM, Siemens, HCL Infosystems, Schlumberger Sema, Skytech (United Airlines) and many others.
At the policy level, the Government is committed to move from a regulated administration framework to a promotional framework facilitating smooth operations for IT and ITES companies. The Government is scheduled to release a revised investor friendly IT policy for 2003 this month. The Government of West Bengal’s vision is to be among the top 3 IT states in India by 2010 and implementing a road map to build West Bengal into a premier IT hub in Asia.
Kolkata, home to 5% of India’s 70,000+ millionaires also boasts one of the lowest CMIE consumer price indices* among metros. Those who have migrated from other parts of the country is impressed by the social mix, low cost of living and saving potential, wide choice of schooling facilities, best-in-class medical facilities, and social and lifestyle opportunities thrown up by the upsurge in economy. As for lifestyle, the last few years have seen Kolkata taking a quantum leap. The city offers a variety of pubs, food courts - both Indian and international, health care centres, spas, art galleries, discotheques, cyber cafes and international fashion dens. |
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