In what would give a huge fillip to the IT infrastructure development in Kerala and particularly to IT SMEs in the state, the Centre has granted special economic zone (SEZ) status to 31 acres of the total 160 acres of land for the second phase of Infopark in Kochi.

The state has been witnessing large-scale IT development in the recent past, with other IT parks such as Technocity and Cyberpark also coming up fast. While both small and big players have been booking space at these parks, SMEs are mainly targeting IT parks with SEZ status in order to avail tax benefits. While some have managed to do so in the first phase of Infopark, many others would now look to follow suit in the second phase.

When a Bizxchange correspondent contacted Dr Ajay Kumar, principal secretary (IT), Kerala government, he said, “Infopark has started its second phase of development because of the growing demand for land and space by IT companies, including SMEs, and co-developers. When phase II is fully developed it will provide employment to 80,000 IT professionals apart from other large-scale direct and indirect employment.”

Dedicated space for SMEs

However, according to Jeyash Puthuparambil, chief executive of Zerone Consulting Private Limited, a premier IT consulting and software outsourcing company operating from Infopark in Kochi, “While sanctioning of the SEZ for the second phase of Infopark may be beneficial for IT SMEs in Kerala, provision of a dedicated space for small players can prove even more advantageous for them. A definite start has been made by the state government in this regard by building the Techno Lodges and also setting aside an incubation facility in the upcoming Athulya building in Infopark for SMEs.”

With the Central and state government providing necessary support, IT SMEs in Kerala can certainly feel upbeat about their future prospects.