More companies in to Technopark, Trivandrum

More than 150 IT and ITES companies working at the Technopark campus here, more companies are looking forward to set up shop at the park here. Several IT firms have expressed interest to set up shop here, M. Vasudevan, a top official attached to the Technopark told IANS.

“Of these, Satyam and Ford Business Solutions are the major IT companies who have already shown deep interest in Technopark. A delegation from Ford has already visited, while correspondence with Satyam is also moving ahead. Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has already written to them,” said Vasudevan.

Technopark, situated on the outskirts of the capital, currently has 17,000 employees located in 3.20 million sq ft of office space.

Work is progressing for construction of another 1.20 million sq ft space. After completion in two years time, the new section will employ close to 15,000 professionals, which will finally take the number of professionals working at Technopark to 32,000.

“Right now, there is no vacant place but we have informed Satyam and Ford officials that they can be accommodated to commence their operations. Moreover, we are in a position to allocate land to companies like Satyam to build their own campus,” added Vasudevan.

Besides the expansion of the Technopark campus, the state government is developing a Technocity on a 507-acre campus located close to the Technopark. Land acquisition for the Technocity has been put under the fast track programme.

The previous Oommen Chandy government had formulated the plans for Technocity but due to opposition from the Left parties, the progress was not smooth.

But now with the Left coming to power, they have given the green signal, which is being considered as a positive sign for IT development in Kerala.

The first signs of major IT growth in Kerala were noticed when software exports from the state crossed Rs.10 billion in the last fiscal.

Technopark is also setting up a finishing school to help train and equip about 25,000 engineers, who pass out of the 84 engineering colleges in the state every year.