Kochi: Kerala’s IT policy should address the fast-changing technology scene and aim at setting up centres of excellence that can attract talents and investment in selected areas, according to a section of IT businessmen. Speaking at an interactive session organised by G-Tech grouping of technology companies at Inforpark here on Tuesday, Shilen Sagunan, chief executive officer of SS Consulting, said automation will ensure that firms will not require large spaces, and hence the focus should not be on creating large infrastructure alone.
“New areas such as Internet of Things and government’s initiatives such as ‘Digital India’ and ‘Make-in-India’ will offer many opportunities for firms that can sell their products and services in the local market,” he said.
Industry leaders demanded that the government ensure social infrastructure, including those for leisure, are set up in the IT hubs. Kerala has a lot of advantages in terms of health and education infrastructure, and this should be marketed properly. There was also demand for slashing of infrastructure costs including rentals in government-owned parks. Hrishikesh Nair, CEO of Kerala IT Parks who presided, said the government is creating a unified Kerala IT Parks brand for the three IT Parks, and engaging Kerala State IT Infrastructure Limited for the land acquisition and creation of new IT buildings and Parks. Former secretary of GTech Anoop Ambica moderated the discussion. Former Technopark CEO Girish Babu, Vinod Tharakan (Claysys), Mukund Krishna (Suyati Technologies), Binu Jacob (Experion Techno-logies), Rejish Unni (Think Palm Techno-logies) and Sijo Kuruvilla, former CEO, Startup Village, also participated in the discussions.
