The Rajiv Gandhi Chandigarh Technology Park’s software and information technology-enabled services export seems to have lost the momentum. The software exports from Chandigarh IT Park witnessed a low growth rate of only 10 per cent during last financial year 2013-14.
While the IT Park has registered robust growth of up to 40 per cent in software export in the past few fiscal years, the growth rate failed to meet the expectations during last fiscal 2013-14.
The software export from RGCTP aggregated Rs1,817.97 crore during fiscal 2013-14 as compared to Rs1,646.24 crore during the fiscal year 2012-13, registering a growth of 10 percent. The IT Park had registered an impressive growth of nearly 27 per cent in software export during fiscal 2012-13 as compared to the figures of 2011-12.
During last financial year, the software export from RGCTP non-SEZ (Special Economic zone) area has declined by nearly 35 per cent as compared to figures of previous year 2011-12. The software export from non SEZ area of IT Park declined from Rs290 crore in 2011-12 to Rs190.72 crore in 2013-14.
As per records with the UT Department of Information Technology (IT), the RGCTP companies clocked export revenues of Rs926 crore in 2010-11, Rs1,296.12 crore in 2011-12, Rs1,646.24 crore in 2012-13.
An official of the UT Department of Information Technology informed that Chandigarh IT Park is a major contributor of software exports from the region. A growth of 10 per cent is registered in software exports during last fiscal 2013-14.
“The growth in the software exports is primarily attributed to the companies namely Infosys, DlF, Tech Mahindra, FCS Software, RT Global, which are operational at the IT Park,” the official added.
At present, the RGCTP houses over 75 companies and is providing employment to nearly 18,000 people.
The official informed that the IT units in other parts of union territory of Chandigarh have also recorded impressive software exports revenue. Other companies clocked revenue of about Rs372.75 crore in fiscal 2013-14 as compared to Rs276 crore in previous fiscal 2012-13.
The total software exports from the union territory of Chandigarh have registered growth at lower pace of 7 percent in last financial year. In 2013-14, the software exports from the union territory aggregated Rs2000 while in fiscal 2010-11, it was Rs1868 crore.
In all, the software exports from the region including UT Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula has shown an upward trend. The software exports have gone up to Rs2,611 crore in 2013-14 from Rs2,291.79 crore in 2012-13, showing an increase of 13 per cent.
The software exports registered from the region was Rs414.97 crore in 2005-06, Rs547.21 crore in 2006-07, Rs798.68 crore in 2007-08, Rs1,049.93 crore in 2008-09, Rs1,200 crore in 2009-10, Rs1,500 crore in 2010-11 and Rs1,912.55 per cent in financial year 2011-12. Notably, the UT Administration had released IT and Electronics Policy last year with an aim to promote excellence and innovation in the domains of IT & Electronics.
Under this policy, the UT Department of IT has planned to facilitate participation of Micro & Small Enterprises IT units in tender/RFP issued for procurement of IT goods/services.
Besides making provisions to create a venture capital fund, the policy also includes incentives and provisions for IT & Electronics entrepreneurs at various levels. The policy is expected to propel Chandigarh to attain the smart city status in the near future.