Cyberpark gets SEZ Notification

IT Kerala announced that the Central Ministry of Commerce has given final notification for the 25 acres of land identified to set up Cyberpark Kozhikode which will be known as IT/ITES Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Cyberpark Kozhikode is Kerala IT’s foray into the Malabar region of the State. Kerala IT has procured a total of 43 acres of land for developing IT/ITES infrastructure in Nellikode and Pantheerankavu in Kozhikode to set up Cyberpark.

Cyberpark will provide SEZ space for IT/ITES and other knowledge based industries for clients serving the domestic and international markets. The rich pool of talent, the higher quality of living and the lower cost of operation, coupled with being the first SEZ IT Park under the State Government’s leadership in the Malabar region, Kozhikode is already in the radar of a number of major IT investors from around the world. The park is in the process of setting up the basic infrastructure such as a 110 kV substation, internal roads, rain water harvesting and waste water recycling and eco friendly waste management.

“The SEZ notification has come at the right time as we are in the process of finalizing companies for the various works that has to be carried out for setting up Cyberpark”, Mr. Binu Pazhoor, CEO of Cyberpark said. “The notification is a major milestone in the development of Cyberpark  and would act as a catalyst for significant investments in the IT/ITES sector in the region.”

He also said that by 2015 when the Cyberpark is completely operational, it will generate 70,000 jobs for IT professionals and over a lakh jobs indirectly.

Facilities planned at Cyberpark are: eco-friendly buildings with energy efficient layouts and interiors, full furnished incubators to support start-up SME initiatives, variety of recreation facilities and adequate eco parks, banks, ATMs, food courts, and food kiosks, day care facilities, reprography centres, internet centres, healthcare, gym, pharmacy, emergency management systems including ambulance, utility services like travel/tourism counters, courier and post office, rainwater harvesting and in house water purification plant and the whole facility to be backed up by 100% in terms of electricity supply.

The SEZ Act 2005 envisages key role for the State Governments in Export Promotion and creation of related infrastructure. SEZ offers companies who wish to set up operations, incentives and facilities such as Duty free import; 100% tax exemption on export income; exemptions from minimum alternate tax, sales tax and service tax; external commercial borrowing facility up to USD 500 million in a year; single window clearance for Central and State level approvals, etc.

The spoke models of Cyberpark are coming up Kannur and Kasaragode districts.  Kannur Cyberpark is developed in 25 acres of land in Eramom village, Taliparambu Taluk. The complete land acquired is notified as SEZ. The prelimnary master plan has been completed and design works of the first IT building of 50, 000 sq.ft is in progress.

Kasargode Cyberpark will be developed in 100 acres of land of which 25 acres will be developed initially as an IT/ITES specific SEZ. The initial building planned here is of 1.50 lakh sq.ft and would ensure initial employment of over 2000

A high development potential for Cyber Park coming up in Kozhikode , Kannur and Kasargod is due to the absence of any organized IT infrastructure in the gap starting from Kochi to Dakshina Kannada, along the west coast. There is a very strong opportunity for IT and ITES companies to tap into the huge potential of untapped human resources. Many ITES majors are looking at this region as a potential destination because of its high rate of literacy, the high quality of living, the closeness to major IT destinations like Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore added to the loyal and dutiful nature of people from the Malabar region.

The connectivity by air to these locations is also another attraction. The international airport at Mangalore is the nearest air port to the Cyberpark coming up in Kasargode. The international air port at Kozhikode is only about 150 KMs from the upcoming Cyberpark.  However, the 4th International airport in the state is nearing completion at Mattannur in Kannur District. With completion of this airport, the proposed park in Eramom, which lies in the southern border of the district, will become more easily accessible by air