TN software exports touches Rs 908.70 cr in 2009-10

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu has more than doubled its software exports in 2009-10 as against the previous year, the State Assembly was informed on Wednesday.

IT Minister Poongothai Aladi Aruna, replying to a supplementary on the progress of various IT Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in the state, said the state's software exports in 2008-09 was just a little over Rs 445 crore.

"In 2009-10 it had touched Rs 908.70 crore," she said. She attributed some delay in the progress of the IT SEZs and IT parks due to the recession but said business had started to look up. Two new prospective investors were mulling investing in Vellore, she added.

To a question, she said the state had urged multi- national corporations to accord priority on recruiting local youth while setting up shops.

Aruna said that the DMK government was particular in taking IT investments into Tier II cities of the state.

Tamil Nadu government's IT agency, Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT), has developed and is in the process of developing IT/ITES SEZs in different parts of the state including Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore and Hosur.