IT minister’s Message – Cyberpark

Most people follow the course of history, but some individuals influence it and steer it in new directions. This visionary thinking led to the establishment of the nation’s first IT park—Technopark, an autonomous institution in the state capital in the 1990s. Today, we continue to build on this legacy, proudly holding the title of the nation’s first IT park, while IT parks have been established throughout the state with plans for further expansion. To support our growth, an umbrella brand, ‘Kerala IT,’ encompassing four verticals—Industry, Capacity Building, Infrastructure, and Governance—was created.

The establishment and expansion of new enterprises within Kerala’s IT Parks have generated numerous employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly. Today, Kerala’s trio of government-owned IT Parks employs 1,50,000 people, with indirect employment contributing to around 5,00,000 jobs. This brings the total employment generated by the state’s IT sector to an impressive 750,000. In the fiscal year 2023-24, Kerala’s IT exports witnessed substantial growth. Export revenue from government-operated IT Parks surged by 18%, reaching Rs. 24,787 crore, compared to Rs. 20,921 crore in the previous year, which had seen a 14% increase over the year before. This steady growth underscores our dedication to building a strong and vibrant IT ecosystem in the state.

Forward-thinking and business-friendly policy measures, combined with top-notch infrastructure within Kerala’s IT Parks and a strong commitment to nurturing startups and entrepreneurship, have enabled the government to consistently provide unwavering support to the industry. The balanced growth opportunities offered to both home-grown startups and global MNCs have established our state as a model for the nation.

To further enhance this growth, the government is actively developing IT corridors in key regions: Thiruvananthapuram-Kollam in the south, Alappuzha-Ernakulam and Ernakulam-Koratty in central Kerala, and Kozhikode-Kannur in the north. Land acquisition is already underway for these transformative projects, which will solidify Kerala’s position as a premier IT destination in India. These corridors are designed to meet the growing demand from multinational corporations (MNCs) seeking to establish operations in Tier II cities, offering the same high level of infrastructure and opportunities found in Tier I cities.

Kerala, which pioneered the nation’s first IT park three decades ago, has once again set a new standard with the launch of India’s first Digital Science Park. The inauguration of the park’s first phase marks a defining moment, further establishing Kerala as a leading hub for digital technologies and innovation. These forward-looking initiatives are positioning Kerala as a center of excellence in higher education and cutting-edge research, with the upcoming K-Space and Digital Science Parks at the forefront of this transformation. These projects are creating a foundation for a highly skilled talent pool, providing a vital resource for companies setting up operations in the state, fostering their growth and success in the global marketplace. The phased establishment of innovative companies signifies that the seeds of growth have been planted, heralding further development in the near future. Coupled with the arrival of new enterprises, this momentum is driving job creation, export growth, and increased revenue for the state.

Kerala’s IT sector continues to move steadily toward significant milestones. Despite challenges in recent years, the 2023-2024 period has highlighted the sector’s strong foundation, supported by a strategic marketing system and robust infrastructure, with no compromises on quality. As the world enters new waves of digital transformation, Kerala’s IT sector consistently demonstrates its vision by adopting emerging technologies and staying ahead of the curve. The sector’s resilience and adaptability are key to its continued advancements, reinforcing Kerala’s position as a knowledge-driven economy and ensuring its prominence in global market trends.

Pinarayi Vijayan

Chief Minister of Kerala Chairman – Governing Body