Tamil Nadu software exports to touch Rs 26,000 cr

CHENNAI: Software exports from Tamil Nadu were expected to touch Rs 26,000 crore in 2007-08, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi announced in the state Assembly on Wednesday.

Answering supplementaries regarding setting up of IT parks in the state, he said Tamil Nadu had made software exports to the tune of Rs 21,700 crore in 2006-07 and Rs 14,600 crore in 2005-06.

Responding to CPI-M's N Nanmaran's question over setting up of an IT park in Madurai, the Chief Minister, who also holds the IT portfolio, said work would start in a month or two in this direction.

Further, the Electronic Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT) was in the process of setting up an IT-Special Economic Zone at Hosur in Krishnagiri district.

"ELCOT has been provided with 172.19 acres of land at Viswanathapuram and they have initiated work for the project," he said adding Central government's approval for the SEZ has been obtained.

IT parks would also come up in cities like Coimbatore, Salem, Tirunelveli and Tiruchirapalli, where ELCOT has initiated efforts in this regard, Karunanidhi announced.

The Rathnavel Pandian Commission, set up to submit major project ideas and identify places for their implementation in southern districts with a view to developing them, has submitted the proposals, he said.

"The recently sanctioned Nanguneri (multi-sector) SEZ is one step towards that direction," the cheif minister said while promising more industrial projects for the southern districts.