IT exports from Andhra Pradesh for the year 2009-10 are likely to be around Rs 36,000 crore, up 12.5 per cent from Rs 32,000 crore during the previous year, according to state information technology and communications secretary K Ratna Prabha. The higher export revenues could be attributed to the improving financial situation worldover, she said.
IT exports from the state accounted for 15 per cent of the total exports from the country. Till recently, IT exports were only 12 per cent, she said, adding that the state aimed to be in the top-three IT exporters list. Andhra Pradesh is a late entrant into the exports segment but made it to the fourth position in the country in a relatively short time.
However, Andhra Pradesh was among the first few states to initiate e-governance projects, which were later replicated by other states, she said at a press conference here on Wednesday.
The IT sector in the state provides direct employment to 250,000 and close to a million people indirectly. The sector also triggered growth in the retail and real estate segments, the secretary said.
The state government in a week or so would unveil its new IT policy. The new policy would aim at attracting investments and foster SME in the IT sector.
Ratna Prabha also said that Andhra Pradesh would host eINDIA 2010, a global ICT conference, in Hyderabad from August 4 to 6. The sixth edition of the event, which is being organised by the Centre for Science, Development and Media Studies (CSDMS), promotes networking among governments, industry and academia.
The event will boost the e-governance framework in the country, the IT secretary said, adding that it would showcase technology innovations in education, rural development and health services.
About 150 exhibitors would participate in the event.