From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
BANGALORE,Aug 26: India’s knowledge capital Bangalore’s prestigious annual IT event, the three-day Bangalore IT.biz 2009, will be held in the sprawling Palace Grounds from November 11.
The 12th edition of the annual mega IT event will also serve as the prelude to the Global Investors’ meet to be held in the city in January 2010.
Briefing reporters on the preparations for the annual event, Karnataka’s information technology, biotechnology, information and excise minister Katta Subramanya Naidu said a large number of IT companies were expected to participate in this year’s event despite the global economic meltdown.
``We are planning to approach at least about 800 software companies for participation,’’ he said adding: about 1000 candidates would be given jobs during the event.
Naidu said the government was planning to unveil its new IT policy as a preparation for the event. It is likely to be released by the end of next month, he said.
The minister said the government would also come out with new semi-conductor and hardware policies soon.
Bangalore IT.biz 2009 is being organised by the state government’s Department of IT, BT and Science & Technology and Software Technology Parks of India-Bangalore in partnership of the Mexico Government.
As many software companies were slowly coming out of the recession caused by the global economic turmoil, the minister said the government expected participation of many companies this year.
Industrialists such as Ratan Tata, Mukesh Ambani, Infosys chief mentor N R Narayana Murthy, Wipro Technologies founder Azim Premji and many other leading technocrats would be invited to the event, he said.
A total of 65 experts would participate and deliver speeches on IT industry and address issues related to the domestic and external markets in order to overcome the problems caused by the slowing down of the world economy.
``Karnataka is Number One in IT industry in India and we are ready to offer all facilities to companies ready to invest in the State,’’ he said pointing out that about 80,000 acres of land was available in and around Bangalore to set up software industries.
A quiz programme would be organised for both school as well as graduate students during the three-day event. Students, who developed innovative IT products, would be honoured and awarded with cash prize. The event would facilitate one-one to discussion with experts, and provide a platform for businessmen to grab new opportunities, he said.
IT exports of Karnataka stood at Rs 71,000 crore in 2008-09 as against Rs 58,500 crore during the previous year despite the economic recession. The state’s IT industry accounts for almost a third of India’s IT exports, he added.