Date:07/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/05/07/stories/2005050702151700.htm

Back STPI Hyderabad clocks 65 pc growth in '04-05

Our Bureau

Hyderabad , May 6

BEATING conservative growth estimates of 45 per cent for fiscal 2004-05, the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), Hyderabad, has recorded a substantial 64.5-per cent growth in exports.

"STPI-Hyderabad has achieved total software exports of Rs 8,270 crore in ($1.88-billion), surpassing all estimations and growth projections across the country," the STPI-Hyderabad Director, Mr B.V. Naidu, announced here on Friday.

Following a growth of 37 per cent during 2003-04, STPI-Hyderabad had projected a growth of around 45 per cent for the 2004-05 fiscal. But a growth of 65 per cent was possible as major companies made significant strides during the fiscal under review.

The top ten companies accounted for nearly 63 per cent of exports. The top five companies are Satyam, Wipro, Infosys, GE Capital and Microsoft.

Mr Naidu, who is also the Director of STPI-Bangalore, said exports from Hyderabad were predominantly to the US, accounting for 64 per cent, followed by Europe with 25 per cent and other countries such as Japan, Australia, Asia and West Asia contributing around 11 per cent.

According to the STPI-Hyderabad Joint Director, Mr E. Manoj Kumar, Andhra Pradesh has once again attracted large number of companies, clocking all-time high registrations with 152 new software-exporting companies during 2004-05, against 119 in the previous fiscal.

There were 63 companies with foreign equity during 2004-05, against 42 the previous fiscal. Some of the major companies that started operations during the year include Google Online, IBM Global, Mindtree Consulting,

Ascential Software, iSoft, Adea International, Netdevices India, Manugistics Software, NCR Corporation, Mars Telecom, Xiotech India, LVL7 Systems, Beacon Global, Deloitte and Digital 5 Software, he said.

The AP Principal Secretary for Information Technology and Communications, Dr J.C. Mohanty, said many IT parks were coming up in the State with significant investments by various promoters, under the STP scheme.

This would facilitate modern facilities and incubation space for start-up companies that will meet the industry demand.

While Hyderabad still maintained its lead, the Government has decided to ensure world-class infrastructure even in tier-II cities such as Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati, Warangal and Kakinada.

According to Dr Mohanty, STPI-Hyderabad would focus on retaining its growth so that it can achieve exports of around Rs 13,000 crore during the current fiscal.

Apart from building the Hyderabad Knowledge Corridor, the Government has also firmed up plans to set up IT corridors and information highways with affordable broadband connecting the State. Stating that AP was aiming to become the IT hotspot of the country, he said, the State expects to contribute nearly 30 per cent of country's software exports by 2009-10.