Thiruvananthapuram, July 28 : India's first IT Park Technopark has successfully completed 20-years of promotion of IT in Kerala.

By virtue of its world-class ICT infrastructure, fine human resources and support from state governments, Technopark, has become the leading IT/ITES player in India and was on its way to be IT powerhouse, CEO Mervin Alexander told newspersons here today.

Currently Technopark is the single largest IT Park in the country with a 4.5 million sq ft built-up area with 180 companies and 28,000 IT/ITES professionals," he said.

The Kerala Government had conceptualized the Technopark in July 1990 as a facility to foster the development of high-technology industries in the state, he said.

It was set up under the auspices of Electronics Technology Park, Kerala -- an autonomous body under the Department of Information Technology of the government of Kerala, to create infrastructure and provide support required for the development of high-technology companies, Mr Alexander said.

The foundation stone for the first building in Technopark was laid on March 31, 1991 by the then Kerala Chief Minister E K Nayanar.

Dr Ajay Kumar, IT Secretary, Government of Kerala, said Kerala IT was all about making a positive difference to businesses and lives. In the past two decades technopark has played a major role in shaping Kerala IT the way it is today.

The park was not just making efforts to keep business operating round-the-clock by providing robust infrastructure and connectivity, but also strive to ensure that employees working in the park have a good work-life balance.

"With Technopark, Kerala is truly capitalizing on its advantages and transforming itself into a silicon coast through focused initiatives in IT infrastructure development, HR development and citizen e-enablement. Kerala is one of the few IT states that buckled the global trend and registered a phenomenal growth. In the recent past the state has witnessed many international IT brands move to Trivandrum for its excellent infrastructure, 24 x 7 power and data connectivity," he said.

Mr Alexander said in the last two decades, Technopark has seen many major IT/ITES companies setting shops and expanding their businesses. IT majors such as Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services had also set up operations in Technopark. Infosys has set up its own campus in Technopark Phase II in 50 acres of land. Currently it employs 3000 professionals in Trivandrum and will have 15000 professionals working, he said.

"Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has acquired another 26 acres of land in Technopark Phase I for setting up a Software Development Centre and is operating the global Learning Center, one of the biggest in Asia from Technopark. The Centre currently trains around 24000 fresh engineering graduates joining TCS every year," he said.

"Apart from big IT majors, Technopark has written success stories of some homegrown companies who are today defining the markets across the globe namely Toonz animation India, IBS software solutions, UST Global, NesT and SunTec Business Solutions." he said.

"In these years, we have initiated all efforts to spearhead growth of IT in Kerala, including Entrepreneurship through our Technology Business Incubation Centre. Our objective is to become a one-stop-shop for all the IT needs of the State and we are striving to establish Technopark as a world-class location that will cater to any needs of an IT company in every aspect," he said.

Technopark offers Smart Business Centre, a plug and play facility which has attracted many international companies to set up their software development facilities, he said.

Kerala has always been a knowledge society and on the forefront of R and D and higher education. The availability of high quality human talent makes it the ultimate choice for IT/ITES Companies.

Mr Mervin said by 2015, it is estimated Kerala will have 200,000 direct job opportunities in IT/ITES industry and Technopark will be one top five investment destinations in India. --UNI