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Gujarat chases hi-tech dream with new policies, incentives
Monday, 06 October 2003, 19:30 IST
AHMEDBAD: Gujarat, long known as the hub for traditional industries such as oil and gas, textile, and gems, is now gearing up to get its share of the high-profile IT and biotechnology pie.
From formulating new official policies for hi-tech sectors to offering incentives to private technology companies, the state is looking to make its fortune by launching a major push to woo investors.
"We have decided to focus on IT and biotechnology in a big way in the coming years," said Rajesh Kishore, secretary in Gujarat's department of science and technology.
"While we have already announced some major policy decisions to enhance Gujarat's performance in the IT and biotechnology sectors, a host of other initiatives are in the pipeline," Kishore told IANS.
"Our strategy to make the state as the preferred IT and biotech destination is two-fold. While creation of state-of-the-art infrastructure is our first priority, the development of quality professionals is also a key focus area."
On the development of infrastructure for the software development and services sector, Kishore said the state government had already given its approval for the setting up of a state-of-the-art IT park in Vadodara through private initiative.
"The IT park is being developed jointly by Sarabhai Enterprises and ORG Informatics with an investment of 
800 million. The government is providing all the support to the project," he said.
The park will be spread over 19 acres of land and house both software and biotechnology companies.
"It will have world-class technology back-up and connectivity to facilitate speedier and trouble-free operation," said Kishore.
The park is likely to become operational over the next one year, said the official, adding it would give a major boost to software exports that had been "stagnating" at around a meagre 1.50 billion for the last few years.
Kishore said the government had set up Gujarat Informatics Ltd to take care of the implementation of the IT initiatives in the state.
"Gujarat Informatics is the single point contact and eliminates all ambiguity and avoids the need to rush from pillar to post for a wide range of activities," he added.
The government has also been promoting e-governance in a big way in the last few years. An information corridor has been created connecting the state capital with district headquarters.
"Currently, we are is in the process of computerising land records that will then be made available at the district headquarters. The move is expected to benefit IT companies planning to set up their own infrastructure in the state," said Kishore.
The government has also decided to earmark one percent of the annual financial budget for IT related activities, which is expected to rise to three by 2005.
"Private sector participation will be encouraged in creation of information corridor, setting up of IT kiosks and development of high-tech information infrastructure," the official said.
Gujarat also plans to set up a venture capital fund for development of IT enabled services and software development.
On the biotechnology front, Gujarat has joined hands with Britain-based non-resident Indian Nathu Puri and Nottingham University to set up an institute for biotech studies in Gandhinagar, the state capital.
The Indian Institute of Advanced Research and Education will be set up with an initial investment of 1 billion and is slated to become operational by end of next year.
The government is working on a biotechnology policy and is in the process of setting up a biotechnology mission to draw up strategies, said Kishore.
Source: IANS
800 million. The government is providing all the support to the project," he said.
The park will be spread over 19 acres of land and house both software and biotechnology companies.
"It will have world-class technology back-up and connectivity to facilitate speedier and trouble-free operation," said Kishore.
The park is likely to become operational over the next one year, said the official, adding it would give a major boost to software exports that had been "stagnating" at around a meagre 1.50 billion for the last few years.
Kishore said the government had set up Gujarat Informatics Ltd to take care of the implementation of the IT initiatives in the state.
"Gujarat Informatics is the single point contact and eliminates all ambiguity and avoids the need to rush from pillar to post for a wide range of activities," he added.
The government has also been promoting e-governance in a big way in the last few years. An information corridor has been created connecting the state capital with district headquarters.
"Currently, we are is in the process of computerising land records that will then be made available at the district headquarters. The move is expected to benefit IT companies planning to set up their own infrastructure in the state," said Kishore.
The government has also decided to earmark one percent of the annual financial budget for IT related activities, which is expected to rise to three by 2005.
"Private sector participation will be encouraged in creation of information corridor, setting up of IT kiosks and development of high-tech information infrastructure," the official said.
Gujarat also plans to set up a venture capital fund for development of IT enabled services and software development.
On the biotechnology front, Gujarat has joined hands with Britain-based non-resident Indian Nathu Puri and Nottingham University to set up an institute for biotech studies in Gandhinagar, the state capital.
The Indian Institute of Advanced Research and Education will be set up with an initial investment of 1 billion and is slated to become operational by end of next year.
The government is working on a biotechnology policy and is in the process of setting up a biotechnology mission to draw up strategies, said Kishore.
Source: IANS