The IT (information technology) exports from Karnataka will cross Rs 1.5 lakh crore by March 2014, according to IT Minister S.R. Patil.

Inaugurating a conference on ‘Future of IT and electronics,’ organised by the State Government here on Friday, Patil said IT exports from the State stood at Rs 1.35 lakh crore during 2012-13. Of this, exports from tier-2 cities such as Mysore, Mangalore and Hubli-Dharwad stood at Rs 2,680 crore.

The government is expecting an IT export target of Rs 1.5 lakh crore during 2013-14. This will be more than one-third of the country's exports, he said. The government also expects IT exports to go up to Rs 4 lakh crore by 2020.

Stating that the Central Government has granted an ITIR (IT investment region) to Karnataka, he said it will come up near Bengaluru International Airport Ltd on 40 sq km of land. This will help create 12 lakh direct jobs and 28 lakh indirect jobs. He said ITIR would contribute good revenue to the State government.

Patil said the IT Park set up by the government in Hubli is almost fully occupied. The IT parks in Gulbarga and Shimoga have more than 50 per cent occupancy.

He urged the IT companies in the country to set up their units in tier-2 and 3 cities in the State. By taking their units to such locations, the IT sector will be able to benefit from the low infrastructural, operational and manpower costs. This will help in tackling competitions from low-cost destinations in other parts of the world, he said.

I.S.N. Prasad, Principal Secretary, Department of IT, said that the government started IT conference and exhibition in Bangalore more than a decade ago. That event attracted many global companies also. The government began such an event in Mangalore this year. It will be conducted every year, he said.

vinayak.aj@thehindu.co.in

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