Bengal needs to hardsell brand Kolkata as IT destination: experts

Kolkata, Jul 9(UNI) With KPO industry likely to touch USD 17 billion by 2010, West Bengal needs to hardsell 'brand Kolkata' as an emerging IT destination in a bid to attract global investments, according to IT experts.

Speaking to mediapersons here today at the "ITCon-destination East" organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce, Tholon, an US based IT company, Director Vinu B Kartha said the state needs to promote Kolkata as a brand to promote itself as the potential IT destination.

There are five major disadvantages and challanges faced by these states--inadequate infrastructure, high business risk, poor quality of life, lack of branding and business environment, the IT experts said.

However, the eastern states have own advantages as well.

''Bengal and all other major eastern Indian states, including Bhuabneswar have their advantages in terms of cost efficiency, low attrition levels and large talent pool,'' he said.

''However, the perception should change, which is why brand building is important, Mr Kartha added.

An internal study organised by Tholon said the total talent pool in Kolkata and Bhubaneswar was around one lakh every year in terms of salary and cost of operations.

Firstsource, another leading IT company, Business Transformation Officer Abhisek Anand Bhagat said the the eastern states could develop as the domestic outsourcing hub for national companies.

He said around five to seven lakh people would be employed in this sector in India in the next few years.

UNI