Opportunity for Govt. to redeem itelf

Bangalore to clickstart IT mega-show today
Times of India

Bangalore: For the first time in the five months of his tenure as CM, Dharam Singh gets a golden chance to redeem the coalition government’s image of relegating IT industry to policy backwaters. On the Kannada Rajyotsava Day, all eyes will be on Singh who will inaugurate the Silicon City’s annual showcase, BangaloreIT.Com. Will he apply the balm to the wounded feelings of the IT industry?

The industry, though, has reasons to be optimistic. There were indications that this year’s edition may not hold the vigour, thanks to paucity of time since the new administration took over in June, 2004. But it has finally happened. Also, the government has succeeded in borrowing peace with the industry with promises to look into the city’s infrastructure.

On the administration side, there is a sigh of relief that the BIT.Com flag is held high despite increasing pressure from neighbouring states.

The five-day IT show will focus on the gaming and animation sector which is set to become $40 billion globally by 2010. Perhaps, in keeping with the present government’s pro-rural agenda, organisers talk of promoting employment opportunity in five secondary cities including Mangalore, Mysore, Belgaum, Gulbarga and Hubli-Dharwad in Karnataka.

IT secretary M.K Shankaralinge Gowda said, “We expect at least one company to open its BPO centre in each of these cities.’’ Being held in a 25,000 sq.mt area, the IT show has more than 10 pavilions. There are exclusive pavilions for animation, games and media. Fifteen countries are participating in the event.

Good signs

Largest-ever foreign country representation
Hardware Park likely to get a new lease of life
Industry bodies such as CII, FICCI participate for the first time