Andhra Pradesh: IT sector to generate a lakh jobs in two years

VISAKHAPATNAM: Setting a mammoth target to increase the export turnover from Vizag tenfold from Rs 2,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore and generate one lakh jobs within two years, information technology minister Nara Lokesh said IT sector was top priority of the government. He said pro-IT policies would spur the investment in the sector. The minister was in the city on Thursday to inaugurate eight IT companies at Tech Hub at the Tech Mahindra premises at Resapuvanipalem.

“The government’s aim is to generate one lakh IT jobs including 70,000 in Vizag within two years and create one crore square feet space for the IT sector. The state government has provided 10 square lakh feet space for IT companies and is taking measures to create another 90 square lakh feet space to promote the IT sector,” he said. He said the government was playing a major role in attracting IT companies to invest in the state. The policies aimed at promotion of IT sector were providing incentives to companies wishing to set up their units in the state.

Stating that  Visakhapatnam has a bright future for IT sector in future, Lokesh said that the cyber city planned in an area of 200 acres in Kapuluppada village in the district will become a reality very soon. The government  has also planned  housing schemes in Kapuluppada along with the cyber city. He said Visakhapatnam will provide 70,000 IT jobs by 2019 as several IT companies were showing interest in establishing their units in the city. Expressing his happiness at eight IT companies setting up units in Tech Hub, generating 900 jobs, he urged the companies to give priority for the creation of jobs to Indians.