Mysore to be focused as IT Centre

Mysore is among the four cities in Karnataka receiving attention for the growth of IT industry. The Software Technology Park in Mysore is being developed for the purpose. Hubli, Mangalore and Manipal are the other three centres the Karnataka Government is directing IT growth. The earth station in Hubli is ready, while the earth station in Mangalore will be inaugurated shortly, said Chief Minister Mr. S.M. Krishna, participating in the inauguration of the five-day Bangalore IT.Com 2001 on Rajyotsava Day, November 1, at the Palace Grounds.

The prestigious conference and tradeshow will conclude on November 5. Despite the slowdown, over 230 corporates, in addition to about 60 participants from overseas, are taking part in the 5th prestigious cyber show organized by the Government of Karnataka in the silicon valley of India, Bangalore. Among the prominent companies taking part are Microsoft, IBM, Tata Telecoms, Citrix, Mistral Softward, Singapore Telecom, MphasiS and TCS.

The Chief Minister announced withdrawal of four per cent sales tax on software with effect from April 1, 2001 and 12 per cent luxury tax on computers. He said a hardware park will be set up near the proposed International Airport at Devanahalli, on the outskirts of Bangalore. It will be in the Special Economic Zone with special offers of concessions. The Airport construction will start in April, he said hoping commercial operations in the year 2005. He described Bangalore as the "IT sourcing capital of the world."

British Minister for E-commerce Mr. Douglas Alexander inaugurated the mega event and said a large number of British companies are keen to set up operations in India, which has gained world reputation for its IT engineering skills. Infosys Chief Mr. N.R. Narayana Murthy and Karnataka Minister for Information Technology Prof. B.K. Chandrasekhar also addressed. Bavarian State Chancellery Mr. Erwin Huber, Nasscom Chairman Phiroz Vandrevala and Microsoft's Rajiv Nair attended the inaugural function. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is visiting the show.