GTECH outlines roadmap for the accelerated growth of Kerala IT industry

Trivandrum, 04 May 2010: Group of Technology Companies (GTECH) will  work for the accelerated growth of the IT Industry in Kerala. This was announced at a media interaction organised today by GTECH. Mr. V K Mathews President elect, GTECH who is also the Chairman and CEO of IBS Group dwelt on the opportunities created by the IT industry in the state, its relevance to Kerala and also the role played by the   industry in the overall socio-economic development of the state.  The new office bearers of GTECH, Mr. K Nandakumar, Vice President and Mr. Anoop P Ambika, Secretary also participated in the media interaction.The  new  Executive Committee of GTECH  also includes, as members,  Mr. Alexander Varghese (UST Global), Mr. Sooraj C K (Accentia Technologies), Mr. Syed Ibrahim (Palnar Transmedia), Mr. Satish Babu (InApp Information echnologies), Mr. S Rama Rao (Gemini Software), Mr. Lalitha Parasad (TCS), Mr. Harikumar P (Travancore Analytics), Mr. Sreekumar Nair (Zafin Labs) and Mr. Philip John (Accel Transmatics Pvt Ltd) Reinforcing the relevance of the IT industry for Kerala, Mr. V K Mathews said that the industry is eminently suitable for a state like Kerala where the availability of land is at a premium and the density of population highest in the country. “In such a scenario,  knowledge based economy is the right prescription. IT industry has one of the lowest land to employee ratio. Besides, the industry is neither polluting nor power intensive and offers huge employment opportunities” he added
Since IT is increasingly being recognized as the driver of the socio-economic development of Kerala, GTECH, the industry body representing the software industry of the state, is redefining its role. It will evolve itself as a catalyst to facilitate the accelerated growth of the IT industry in the state. This will be achieved in four ways Promoting and supporting existing IT companies Working closely with GoK and associated agencies Promoting IT entrepreneurship and small companies Engaging key influencers to mobilize public support for the IT industry
GTECH today has a membership of nearly 100 companies employing around 80% of the software professionals working in the state. All the large IT companies operating in Kerala are members of GTECH or are in the process of becoming one. Nearly 70% of the members are from the SME sector employing less than 50 persons each.GTECH has taken upon itself, as priorities for the year 2010, the following activities.Physical security of Infopark & Technopark in view of the recent threats
Industry cost containment to regain the ‘low cost of operation’ status Increase reach and consequence by collaborating with external institutions Enhance collaboration amongst members, to improve competencies of SME’s
GTECH will also work very closely with the Government especially in the following areas Promoting Kerala as an IT destination through tactical actions and strategic campaigns Consultation on Policy matters Support/ participate in state’s e-governance projects Closely work with the labour department in providing inputs for timely reforms in the labour laws.IT industry is different from other industries in several ways. It is characterized by intense global competition, demanding global standards on quality and delivery schedules at all times, an employee driven job market, high voluntary attrition, flexible resourcing needs and periods of recruitment spree. For the industry to grow, key influencers should understand its special nature and requirements. GTECH will work towards creating and increasing this awareness. A thriving IT industry will benefit the entire cross section of society and that too at no environmental costs. A recent survey conducted by Loyola College of Social Science, Trivandrum has disproved the general belief that employment in the IT industry is largely cornered by youth from the privileged section of the society. One of the key findings of the survey is that 50% of the employees come from families whose total income is less than Rs. 15,000 pm. Besides, it is estimated that for every direct IT employment, 3 indirect jobs are created for the local citizenry. If the business climate deteriorates, it will not be very difficult for the employers or the employees to relocate. In such a scenario the most affected will be the common man who indirectly depends on the IT industry for his livelihood.
In its pursuit to facilitate the accelerated growth of the Kerala IT industry, the key message that GTECH would attempt to drive home is that ‘Supporting IT is Supporting People’.