Date:18/11/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/11/18/stories/2005111801791900.htm

Back Pvt sector should lead in building IT infrastructure: Kerala CM

Our Bureau

Mr Venu Krishnan, Executive Director, Leela Group, in conversation with the Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, while Mr Kishore Mirchandani, CEO, OPI India operations, looks on at the inauguration of Outsource Partners Intenational's BPO centre in Kochi on Thursday. - K.K. Mustafah

Kochi , Nov 17

FOR the accelerated IT development in the State, the Kerala Government has invited private developers to set up infrastructure facilities in a big way, the Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, has said.

Since it requires huge investment for setting up facilities, the Government could play only the role of a facilitator, he said while inaugurating the new BPO centre of the US-based Outsource Partners International (OPI) at the Leela Info Park here on Thursday.

The advantages of Kerala in IT are well documented by various agencies such as Nasscom on account of the State's human resources factor and the Government on its part has created a conducive environment for IT entrepreneurs by providing single-window clearance facility, liberalised labour laws etc, he said.

Kerala has taken many initiatives over the last few years to make the State a good investment destination especially for IT and IT-related activities. The Government would extent all support for the fast track development of the IT industry considering its future potential, he added.

The Chief Minister said that the formal agreement for the 300-acre self contained Smart City would be signed soon with Dubai Internet City.

Mr Clarence T.Schmitz, OPI's Chairman and CEO, said on the occasion that the 137,000 sq ft centre in Kochi has the capacity to accommodate 2,000 associates and is designed to provide the highest level of security and privacy.

OPI had launched a preliminary facility in Kochi earlier this year with a capacity of 64 seats while it built out its new centre. It also has a shared service centre in Bangalore that has the capacity to accommodate more than 600 associates.

Mr Venu Krishnan, Executive Director of the Leela Group, said that it is committed to develop 10 million sq feet as part of IT infrastructure development in the State in the next few years. Leela Info Park in Kochi is the first private IT park in Kerala with a three lakh sq feet area and the second phase of construction would begin soon.

He pointed out that IT is going to be a most important engine for the development of the State and Kochi has become the important Tier II destination in IT, which was confirmed by Nasscom.