Tamil Nadu to sign memorandum of understanding for Rs 15,000 in IT-Ites

Chennai: Tamil Nadu is likely to sign MoUs worth Rs 15,000 crore in the IT-ITeS sectors in the forthcoming Global Investors Meet to be held here early next year, IT minister M. Manikandan has said.

Speaking at the valedictory of the CII Connect 2018 here on Wednesday, Manikandan said a team of officials including the secretary of IT department besides the officials from Elcot had been to the US and showcased the investment opportunities in the State.

Their efforts are likely to materialise through MoUs at the GIM to be held in January 23 and 24, he added.

Earlier, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami who released a book on the e-governance in Tamil Nadu and it was received by F. C. Kohli, the first CEO of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

Speaking on the occasion Mr Kohli said India has more bright people than any other country but it missed the opportunity to be a leader.

"India is a source of people who are very bright. How come, we are not on top of the world? Is it due to politicians or bureaucrats? Perhaps it is (both) but I don't want to get into this. I have nothing against bureaucrats or rulers," Mr Kohli, who is known as the father of Indian software industry, said.

"Almost 20 per cent companies in the US in the computer field are being run by Indians. How come? Everybody to be a successful person need not go abroad. They should also be in India," Mr Kohli said in his speech on receiving Life Time Achievement Award at the CII Connect 2018, a two-day conference and exposition on ICT.

"It is time that we consider computers a necessity rather than a luxury," he added.

CII Connect 2018 chairman Krishnakumar Natarajan said that a FinTech Centre of Excellence would be set up in Chennai.

He urged the state government to consider CoEs in new technologies such as artificial intelligence for use in auto and entertainment industries.