State's real IT growth to begin after 18 months

GESIA says growth will come after IT majors start their operations in state

Despite availability of infrastructure and 100% growth in IT exports, the IT and ITeS industry in the state is yet to reach the level of growth achieved by other states. According to Gujarat Electronics and Software Industries Association (GESIA), the state will need another 18 months to reach the level attained by other states.

The real growth of IT industry in Gujarat is expected to come after 18 months. "Big IT majors like Tata Consultancy Services, Satyam and couple of other companies are expected to begin their operations in the next 18 months which will boost the IT growth in Gujarat," said president of GESIA, Rajan Vasa.

GESIA has decided to aggressively promote the IT and ITeS industry in the state.

We will propose solutions and policy changes through seminars and presentations for sustenance and growth of the industry in the state. Apart from this, we will provide a common platform for members of the association to share issues, concerns and suggestions," said Vasa.

The association has also decided to create a database of the IT and ITeS industry in the state. "We plan to have an accurate database of the number of units, employees, business and other information about the industry," he said.

GESIA will work with the state government to prepare and update the data on the industry in Gujarat. "To increase awareness we will cover 10 major cities of the state," said Vasa.

State IT industry to get own database

With the IT industry gathering momentum in the state and several external big IT players preparing to set up shop here, small and me-dium enterprises (SMEs) in Gujarat are waking up to consolidate their position.

The oldest body of IT industries in the state, the Gujarat Electronics and Software Industries Association (GESIA), plans to prepare a com-prehensive database of the IT software and services industry in the state on the lines of what NASSCOM does for the national IT industry.

"We are not even aware of the exact number of IT, ITES and BPO/KPO industries in the state, as most of them are SMEs and work on their own. However, all these industries are active and are con-tributing to the market in their own ways. We will enlist all such companies and upgrade the database of ICT industries operating in the state, mainly in centres like Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot and small centres like Valsad," said Rajan Vasa, president of the association.

Mr Vasa said the process will begin in January and finish in February. The data thus created will help in revealing the actual situation of the industry in the state. "GESIA has over 115 members as of now and we are expecting another 100 to be added very soon. We are the only state-level association for software, electronics, BPO/KPO, telecom and IT education that has been recognised by the Gujarat government," he said.

The Software Technologies Park of India (STPI), Gandhinagar which aids IT industry in export promotions among other activities, has 172 IT units registered. "Several number of units are catering to the domestic market and are doing good business. Their activities need to be recorded. The database will help the industry and the government in framing a roadmap for their development," Mr Vasa added.