Software exports from Thiruvananthapuram Technopark dip; less companies too

Even as the state government is leaving no stone unturned to make big strides in Information Technology (IT) industry development, statistics show a lower figure of earnings from exports by the software firms in Technopark of the capital. The figures appear in the Economic Survery Report of the government.

Whereas in financial year 2015-16 exports worth Rs 6,150 crores were achieved, in 2016-17 this came down to Rs 5,000 crores. It is significant that during the preceding four years, exports had registered a steady increase. The elections in the US and subsequent policy changes are seen as major reasons for this fall.

There has also been a reduction in the number of companies in the Technopark. There were 285 companies during 2012-13 and it increased to 390 in 2015-16, but last year it fell to 370. It is at a time when Technopark is projected as a symbol of Kerala's expanding IT industry sector, and more so with attempts to woo big IT firms into the state, that such apparent setbacks are reported. It is worthy of note that for the marketing of Kerala's facilities offered to the industry, three professionals have been employed to function under the Chief Minister's office.

However, there has been an increase in the number of employees in Techno-park, 51,865 in 2015-16 rose to 52,746 in 2016-17.