WB to be top IT destination in country: Bratya Basu

State Information Technology and Electronics minister Bratya Basu assured that the state government will achieve the top position among the IT destinations across the nation.

Affirming to make West Bengal, a strong IT business hub, the minister has guaranteed support to the companies, who wish to set up campuses in the state.

“Our government is preparing a strong framework and support structure for the development of IT growth,” said Basu. Basu was addressing the top brass of IT industry, on the inaugural day of the ICT East, organised by CII Eastern Region on Thursday.

Industry titans, mostly from IBM, Capgemini, Cisco, Wipro, Siemens, Cognizant, NIIT, Della, mjunction, ITC Infotech, Amazon, Deloitte, PwC, Ericsson, HPE were present there in the conclave.

“This state is now a stronghold for IT giants. We have more than 600 companies, who are running their trade here,” the minister said.

It is to be remembered that 150,000 professionals are working here with the export revenue touching around Rs 10,000 crore.

The tier II and ties II cities, such as Asansol, Siliguri, Durgapur, Kalyani, Kharagpur are also gearing up to get the sizable portion of IT business apart from Salt Lake’s Sector V and Rajarhat. The state is also giving adequate support to the start-ups and small IT firms.

“The Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security will come up soon in the State. You will be happy to know that the Cabinet has also passed the proposal to introduce courses on cyber security, data security and analysis in colleges and universities,” said Talleen Kumar, Principal Secretary, IT & Electronics.

John Kat, Technology Specialist – Information and Communication Technology, UK Trade & Investment, said that the UK has a strong and vibrant investment market. They have one of the most vibrant business communities in the world, and the strongest VC environment outside of the US.

Thomas Gramm, Head- Offshoring Business of Siemens, said his company is looking to make products for next-generation customers as India is the great destination for trade.