Plans Country’s Largest IT Incubation Centre In Hyderabad
Giving a head start to the implementation of his agenda to revive the IT sector in Telangana, information technology minister, K Taraka Rama Rao, on Friday said his government would set up an incubation centre for IT entrepreneurs in Hyderabad. Billed as the largest in the country, the incubation centre is expected to cater to hundreds of start-ups and just started companies.
“We are planning to set up the incubation centre to encourage young entrepreneurs.
The focus would be mainly on research & development and innovation, while product development would also be encouraged,“ Taraka Rama Rao told TOI after he visited the Indian School of Business ( ISB) and International Institute if Information Technology ( IIIT) in Hyderabad where he interacted with the students and teaching faculty.
Photo: Telangana IT & Panchayat Raj Minister KT Rama Rao addressing the media along with Indian School of Business Dean Ajit Rangnekar and State IT Dept Principal Secretary Harpreet Singh
After inviting innovative ideas for development of the IT industry, T Rama Rao said he would again meet the representatives of ISB and IIT next week before finalizing the actual format of the incubation centre. Sources in the government said the incubation centre was being established mainly to provide a ready environment for startups. “Apart from providing physical space and IT infrastructure including network and systems, the incubation centre would also offer technical skills and resources including manpower and transport facility at a nominal price,“ said a senior official in the IT department.
Photos: Several IT & Business experts interacted with the IT Minister at ISB Campus
Lauding the enthusiam of the IT minister, officials said that he had ambitious plans for rebuilding Brand Hyderabad, which included making the entire city wi-fi enabled.
“It’s an ambitious vision but the enthusiasm gives us immense confidence,“ said an IT industrialist, part of T Rama Rao’s think tank.
While the incubation centre would be a flagship project of the government, the IT ministry is ready with a comprehensive plan for skill development in two-tier and three-tier cities like Nizama bad, Karimnagar, Warangal, and Adilabad.
“Apart from academic qualification, technical and communication skills are imperative when it comes to development of the IT industry. As the minster is keen on developing the sector on a realistic platform, he has envisioned setting up world class training centers in each district,“ said the official.
He said plans being charted for the revival of the IT industry were multi-prong, which included encouraging big conglomerates to expand operation and attract new investments.
Photo: Later in the day, IT Minister KT Rama Rao spoke at the 36th International Conference on Software Engineering held at Novotel Hotel, Hyderabad
“We have convened meetings with existing companies as a result of which many are expediting their expansion plans. And there is much more thrust on attracting new investment,“ said T Rama Rao. With his efforts likely to bear fruits soon, an US-based manufacturing company, Little Giant Ladder Systems, on Friday gave a letter of intent to set up an unit in Telangana with an investment of Rs 311 crore. The company is touted to be the second largest manufacturer of construction equipment including ladders.
“Though the amount it is investing is small, but it is just the first step. You will see investment pouring in from companies in the near future,“ the minister said.
Courtesy: Times of India