The infotech software and services sector will account for 7 per cent of India's gross domestic product (GDP) and 35 per cent of exports by 2008, the department of information technology (DIT) said in its annual report for 2003-04. |
The department of information technology projected the export potential of the infotech software and services industry in the $57-65 billion range by 2008. This will translate into a 6 per cent share of the relevant global market. |
Exports by the infotech-enabled services and business process outsourcing (ITES-BPO) sector are expected to reach $21-24 billion by 2008, about six times the current value of $3.6 billion, according to the department of information technology. |
Software and services exports in 2003-04 reached Rs 55,510 crore ($12.2 billion), clocking a growth of 20.4 per cent in rupee terms and 28 per cent in dollar terms. |
The industry accounted for about 2.64 per cent of the gross domestic product and 21.3 per cent of exports during 2003-04, the department of information technology said. |
During the same period, the infotech-enabled services and business process outsourcing sector also grew 54 per cent, registering an export revenue of $3.6 billion. Software exports to Europe grew 18 per cent and reached Rs 10,200 crore ($2.1 billion) in 2002-03. |
North America, which accounts for 50 per cent of global infotech spending, is expected to continue to dominate Indian software exports, according to the department of information technology. |
According to data released by the department of information technology, the number of professionals employed in the infotech and the infotech-enabled services sectors reached 813,500 in 2003-04. |
The infotech software and services export industry absorbed 260,000 professionals, whereas about 245,500 people were employed in the infotech-enabled services and business process outsourcing sector. |
Of the remaining, the domestic software market employed 28,000 professionals and over 2,80,000 got jobs in user organisations. |
During the year, the department of information technology implemented the National Action Plan for e-governance, covering 10 major components like core e-projects, core infrastructure, integrated service projects, support infrastructure, core policies and human resource development. |
The department of information technology formulated the 'Vidya Vahini' and 'Gyan Vahini' programmes to provide connectivity and boost infotech infrastructure in the education sector. |
The department entered into memorandums of understanding with Armenia, Hungary, Myanmar, Maldives, Syria and Tajikistan during 2003-04 for increasing government-to-government cooperation and facilitating trade in the infotech sector. |