Anindita Nayak
Bhubaneswar, June 6
The upcoming state government in Odisha with BJP at the helm should position Bhubaneswar as a favourite destination for the Indian IT industry through a series of strategic initiatives.
Experts in the know said that the new BJP-ruled state government should woo Indian and global IT companies proactively to open up centres in the state. As the capital city of this eastern state already houses several IT firms, BPM, and technology captives, holding roadshows across major IT hubs in the country and globally can further strengthen its position as an attractive destination.
According to data presented to the state assembly, Odisha earned forex worth Rs 6,500 crore from software exports in fiscal 2022-23. The state exported around Rs 50,000 crore (around $6.5 billion) worth of software exports during that fiscal year. India exported around $200 billion worth of IT exports in FY23 with states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and others contributing the most.
Odisha now is home to over 200 IT and BPM firms, including major players like Infosys, TCS, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, Capgemini, Coforge, Quess, Concentrix Corporation, First Source, Teleperformance, CSM Technologies, TATWA Technologies, and ESSPL among others. Companies like Cognizant & Accenture are also having a presence in the city.
The state’s growth in the IT sector is supplemented by the Odisha IT Policy 2022, which focuses on advanced technologies like AI and cloud computing, and offers competitive incentives. However, despite the policy measures, IT exports from Odisha remain low as compared to other leading tier-II cities like Visakhapatnam & Thiruvananthapuram.
To accelerate the growth of the IT industry further, emphasis on skill development through industry-academia collaboration and continuous upskilling programme should be done on a priority basis. Developing a robust startup ecosystem, establishment of innovation hubs, and promoting R&D activities will also play a critical role in driving growth and check migration of skilled engineers from the state.
