Software Exports from Tamil Nadu grew 10-12% in FY 2015-16

The Dollar Business Bureau

Software exports from Tamil Nadu grew 10-12% to reach Rs.95,000 crore in the financial year 2015-16, the state Finance Minister O Panneerselvam said on Thursday.

"Chennai has become a hub for IT and ITeS. Over 50 multi-national companies are having their global facilities in Chennai. Software exports have grown steadily at around 10-12% per annum and are expected to have touched Rs 95,000 crore in 2015-16," Panneerselvam said.

Presenting the state budget for the fiscal 2016-17, the State finance minister underscored that the government has been committed to providing adequate support for the growth of information technology (IT) and IT-enabled industry.

Companies such as HCL Technologies, Honeywell, Syntel Ltd. and Zoho Corporation were keen on establishing their set-ups in Southern Tamil Nadu.

On the distribution of free laptops, as part of the AIADMK government’s pet scheme, Panneerselvam said the government plans to continue the scheme, and will distribute laptops to 5.35 lakh students in the current financial year.

For information technology department, the state finance minister said his government has provided a total sum of Rs.890 crore for this scheme in its revised budget estimates for the financial year 2016-17.

The minister also highlighted the economic growth of Tamil Nadu and said the state registered an economic growth of 8.79% during 2015-16.

He also announced a special self-sufficiency Pulse Production Programme to promote cultivation of black gram, green gram and red gram.