Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 22 (IANS): Kerala's IT exports are expected to grow by 50 percent this fiscal, according to Nasscom.

Addressing reporters here Monday, Nasscom president Som Mittal said that Kerala's IT exports crossed Rs.1 billion in the last fiscal and would grow by 50 percent this fiscal.

"Things are getting better in Kerala with more than 500 IT companies employing over 80,000 people. Giant companies like Microsoft are also looking at Kerala," Mittal said.

Mittal was in the state capital for the inauguration of the fifth regional council of Nasscom by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

Regional council chairman V.K. Mathews said the need of the hour for furthering IT in the state was favourable policies.

"Kerala today has the best of everything and has the right atmosphere for going ahead. We have requested various (state and central) governments for tax benefits that were taken away in 2011. If IT companies are given tax benefits for setting up operations in tier 1 and tier 2 cities, it would propel growth," Mathews said.