TN to create 37 mn sq ft space for IT sector with SEZs

Chennai, Jun 4 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government has drawn up plans to create 37 million sq ft of space for the IT sector in the next three years by setting up Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

Talking to newspersons here today, State IT Secretary C Chandramouli said the Centre had sanctioned 37 SEZs for the IT sector of which 15 had already started operations.

In the coming years, the prospects were very bright as the other SEZs would be established, he said, adding, as Tamil Nadu was placed in the high-end of the value chain, IT companies were showing tremendous interest in coming to the state to set up their units.

Despite lot of turbulence in the IT sector, three million sq ft of space was occupied last year. ''This shows the confidence of investors in Tamil Nadu,'' he added.

He said as many as 72,000 employment opportunities were provided in the IT and ITeS sector last year. While 60 per cent of them were employed in the IT sector, the rest secured jobs in IT, he added.

Mr Chandramouli said both infrastructure facilities and connectivity were rated high in the state though there were minor problems in transportation and power which were being sorted out.

He said the growth plans of top 10 IT companies in the Mahindra City were very encouraging and when the SEZs become fully operational, there would be much bigger growth.

The SEZs would provide two lakh jobs in the next three years, he added.

Software exports from the state stood at Rs 28,489.50 crore last year, registering a 37.60 per cent growth over the previous year.

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