TN unveils tier-II cities as next ITeS destination

Bangalore, Oct 30 (UNI) Tamil Nadu, one of the frontline States in attracting IT and ITeS industries boasting exports worth three billion US Dollars, today announced a policy decision to promote six tier-II cities.

Briefing newspersons at the IT exposition 'Bangalore IT.in' here, Information Techology Secretary C Chandramouli said that with Chennai getting congested due to fast paced IT and industrial growth, the State Government had decided to promote other major cities in the State. Hitherto, these cities had a major share in supplying talented mindpower to industries in Chennai, he added.

''The main drivers for IT and ITeS companies are the talent pool and infrastructure. The six cities of Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli, Salem, Tirunelveli and Hosur have excellent human resource through well established colleges. The infrastructure is constantly being upgraded. Besides, the cities have excellent facilities for social life to unwind and relax,'' he said.

The District Collectors of five of the six districts, who were projected as brand ambassadors of the tier-II cities, explained at the press conference the advantages the respective cities offered for the IT companies.

Dr Chandramouli said the State, the third largest economy in the country, had targetted a 40 per cent growth in IT and ITeS business in the current fiscal.

It assumed the top position in producing the maximum number of engineering graduates and Chennai had emerged as a leading metro in the country, attracting multinational IT majors. The other major advantage for IT industries was the lowest attrition rate, otherwise a major problem in the sector in the whole nation, he said.

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