From Fun and Feni to IT

Goa was one of the few states to capitalize on tourism for growth. However,

realization has now crept in that tourism alone is not enough to sustain growth.

This led to an exploration of fresh avenues. At the end of the day, information

technology topped the agenda.

Given the rapid strides made by neighboring states in the field of

information technology, Goa got left behind despite a number of factors to its

advantage. These included one of the best telecom networks in the country, a

well laid fiber optic cable network connecting the entire state and an English

speaking populace well versed in the hospitality industry. From a modest figure

of Rs 15 crore in the year 1998-99, software export revenues from Goa have

increased triple-fold. But this has been little cause for celebration. Barring

the better-known companies such as D-Link and Zenith Computers, there have been

few big names here.

Goa’s minister for information technology Ramakant Khalap agrees that

information technology is still at a nascent stage here. "We intend to

begin from a clean slate,’’ says Khalap. Ambitious plans are in the pipeline

to catapult Goa to the forefront of the IT industry. The minister has a lot on

his plate with the recently announced IT policy for the state.

"Goa has an ideal advantage to make the state an attractive destination

for attracting software and hardware companies and even promoting IT,’’ he

says. The infotech policy for Goa is aimed at helping the overall growth of the

economy through use of information technology. The objective is to be fully

e-governed, information-rich state with real-time access to information and

industrial infrastructure,’’ asserts SR Shet, managing director, Electronic

Corporation of Goa and director, IT department. The USP, for Goa, would

essentially be top-of-the-line infotainment industry, which would attract

business even from the neighboring states.

The IT policy lays special focus on use of IT in the government, education,

industry, health, entertainment and leisure industry, and social equity.

‘Catch em’ Young’ is the new mantra at Goa. Beginning this year, IT

education has been made compulsory at secondary and higher secondary levels. The

aim is to create suitable infrastructure to meet the needs of the IT industry. A

special IT and infotech stream is in the pipeline. The government has entered

into an agreement with the University of Allahabad to establish an IIIT at the

Goa University. Admissions are expected to begin this academic session in June.

The second area that the government is taking a keen look at is ‘e-governance’.

It has sought assistance from the Andhra Pradesh Technical Services to

computerize the 80 odd state departments in a span of two years. Special stress

is also being laid on networking the state through fiber optic cable, to provide

information and services to citizens by establishing kiosks throughout the state

so that a real-time application can be made from interior parts of Goa and yet

prompt online response from officials can be expected. 10% of the budget has

been allocated to achieve the objective.

Special emphasis has been laid on networking the state through fibre-optic

cable to provide information and services to the  citizens.

The government is going all out to ensure that the industries invest in the

state. Some of the measures include relaxation of zonal regulations to permit

IT-enabled commercial services in industrial and commercial zones, residential

and mofussil areas. An ambitious concession from stamp duty is being formalized

to attract investors. An additional incentive to operate IT services such as

call centers, is being amended in the local labor act and laws. "Power

connection will be released on priority to IT software and IT enabled services,’’

says Shet. An additional sop for the entrepreneurs is the special VC Capital

Fund created with a corpus of Rs 25 crore.

As of now, the Verna Electronic Estate has around four software units that

are fully functional. Burbrown Ltd is a Rs 12-crore medical transcription

company; Control Net is a US subsidiary while Zenith manufactures monitors here.

A hi-tech habitat is in the pipeline on a 70-acre plot at Bambolim, Dona Paula.

The ambitious project to be located in the environs of the Goa University is

estimated at Rs 200 crore.

The second major project includes the Cyber City. Planned within the special

economic zone near the proposed international airport site, the 1000-acre Cyber

City would house a world-class convention center, hospitality and entertainment,

IT-enabled services and processing studios for attracting international

conventions. The idea is to create a high-spending tourist profile for Goa as

opposed to being a haven for back-packers. Planned at the Mandrem-Morgim area,

the city would be linked through MRTS to the international airport at Mopa for

easy connectivity. Discussions are currently in progress with the Konkan Railway

authorities for this purpose. "We have invited private participation for

this ambitious project which would cost around Rs 100 crore,’’ says Khalap.

Khalap believes that Goa not only has the right ambience and offers a

wonderful work environment but also gives a great holiday feeling. ‘Mix

business with pleasure’ is the underlying message. And hence the focus on

infotainment.

‘We will make Goa intelligent’



Ramakant Khalap, state minister for information technology

Nanda Kasabe Cyber News

Service, Pune