The Andhra Pradesh Government is concentrating on developing the IT industry in tier-two cities, as till now it has largely remained confined to the State Capital, and it is setting up two IT incubation centres at Gambhiram village near here for the purpose, according to State IT Minister P. Lakshmaiah.
The minister, along with IT Secretary Sanjay Jaju, participated in a seminar on promoting Telugu language through the Internet organised in Gitam University on Friday.
He later told reporters that Visakhapatnam had been identified as the most potential centre for development of IT industry after Hyderabad and all efforts would be made to promote the industry here and attract the bigger companies.
"Already a few big companies have arrived here, but it will be our endeavour to draw many more, highlighting the advantages of the place," he said.
He said the IT incubation centres would be set up in the IT special economic zone at Gambhiram village and the requisite infrastructure would be developed there. He said the centres would be of great use to the smaller IT companies and there should be no problem in commuting from the city to Gambhiram as the village was well-connected and very near to the city.
In response to a question on Wipro's operations in the city, the Minister said the company had recently started operations on a small scale, recruiting 100 employees or so, and it would gradually step up the business. "Our approach is industry-friendly. We will provide the facilities and sort out any infrastructural problems but we expect the industry to reciprocate and deliver on its promises," he said.
He said the problems at the two IT special economic zones at Rushikonda on the beach road would also be sorted out. "We have appointed a special nodal officer here for the purpose," he said.