IT sector manages USD 191 billion in exports despite corona

Chennai

Of this, 13 per cent completed the free course, which is a higher percentage when it comes to online course completion, noted Debjani Ghosh, President, Nasscom.

 She made this observation in a daylong programme to mark STPI’s 29th foundation day celebrations, where top leaders from the government and the industry took part.

 Ghosh said the $191 billion IT industry, comprising around 18,000-plus firms that directly employ 4.36 million strong workforce, contributes 8.0% of the GDP. This is a testimony to the Software Technology Parks of India’s (STPI) resolute performance in transforming domestic IT industry into a global outsourcing destination for software exports, she said, lamenting that the sector would have breached $ 200 billion but for the COVID-19, which caused disruption of unimaginable proportions.

 The impact of the pandemic will last at least for 12-18 months, Ghosh said, adding the new norms in sectors like education, healthcare, manufacturing and retail, were a reality.

 As many as 30 companies had come together to roll out a pandemic management solutions software, that helped to manage data with states such as Karnataka using it effectively, she said. Brand India, rather tech India, had not taken a beating with the after Corona world offering enough scope to reboot the economy, she added.

 A series of sessions live streamed to mark the occasion included ‘Role of Government in Driving Innovation & Product Development’ and ‘India Ahead with Transformational Ideas, Disruptive Innovations and Pool of Talent.’ Speakers included Dr Rajendra Kumar, Additional Secretary, MeitY, Dr Omkar Rai, DG, STPI, Subroto Bagchi, Chairman, Odisha Skill Development Authority, Jyoti Arora, Special Secretary and Ajay Prakash Sawhney, Secretary, MeitY. Exports clocked by STP-registered units stands at Rs 4,21,103 crore during 2019-20 from Rs 52 crore in 1992-93. In last three decades, the efforts of STPI in promoting IT industry and boosting software exports essentially reflect STPI’s commitment towards economic progress of the nation,, a release said.