Date:01/08/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/08/01/stories/2005080100980200.htm

Back IT exports to touch $60 b by 2008: ESC

Our Bureau

New Delhi , July 31

TOTAL IT exports, including hardware, software and IT-enabled services, are expected to touch the $60-billion mark by 2008, having increased by 164 per cent between 2000-01 and 2004-05, according to the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC).

In absolute terms, IT exports have grown from Rs 32,288 crore in 2000-01 to Rs 85,300 crore in 2004-05.

"The pace at which IT exports are growing gives us the impression that the target of $60 billion by 2008 will be achieved," the ESC Executive Director, Mr D.K. Sareen, said in a release.

Between 2000-01 and 2004-05, export of computer software and related services (excluding ITES) has almost doubled and if this trend continues, export from this segment will touch Rs 1,00,000 crore ($25 billion) by 2007-08, ESC said.

The council said the export of IT-enabled services has grown by 121 per cent between 2002-03 and 2004-05, recording the highest percentage of growth in the IT sector. Exports have gone up from Rs 10,500 crore to Rs 23,300 crore during this period.

Electronic hardware exports between 2000-01 and 2004-05 grew by 67 per cent, increasing from Rs 4,788 crore to Rs 8,000 crore during the period.