New Delhi : When the ambitious Software Technology Parks in India (STPIs) project was launched in 1991 it elicited very tepid interest but today just 15 of them in the country are annually bringing more than Rs 116.07 billion in foreign exchange. During the span of nine years 5,582 units have been approved under the centres and their software exports increased by 700 times from a mere Rs 17 crore in 1991-92 to Rs 11,607 crore in 1999-2000.STPI are the fastest growing and perhaps one of the most profitable industry in the country. "Information Technology offers a variety of services, products and technologies, to enhance productivity and in turn helps to improve the GNP of the nations. As an industry, it perhaps is the largest, fastest growing and the most profitable industry in the world today and India is well placed to exploit the competitive advantage it enjoys in the same," sources at STPI say.
India, with its highly skilled IT manpower potential, set up the STPIs to promote software exports by providing infrastructural facilities, including High Speed Data Communication (HSDC) links.
The scheme, conceived as 100 per cent export-oriented, has attracted many entrepreneurs and 4,386 units were approved during 1999-2000 alone, according to STPI annual report. Out of 3,049 units which have commenced operation, 2130 units are exporting software. The total export of Rs 11607 crore registered during 1999-2000, which is about 84 per cent higher than the previous corresponding period, represents approximately 68 per cent of the national software exports.
These centres act as `single-window' in providing services to software exporters. The parks are equipped with basic faclities like back-up power, EPABX, security, training aids and others.
STPI is a 100 per cent export oriented scheme for the development and export of computer software including export of professional services using communication or physical media.
STPI scheme is unique in its nature as it focuses on one product- computer software. The scheme integrates the concept of 100 per cent Export Oriented Units (EOU) and Export Pprocessing Zones (EPZ) of the government and the concept of science parks and technology parks as operating elsewhere in the world, official sources say.
The main feature of the STP scheme is the provisioning of single-point contact services for the member units enabling them to conduct export operation at a pace commensurate with international practices. The STPI also acts as a resource centre for the member computer exporting units by offering general infrastructural facilities like ready to use built-up space, centralised computing facilities and High Speed Data Communication (HSDC).
Copyright © 2001 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
