Hubli to be promoted as the next IT hub

Hubli to be promoted as the next IT hub

Hindu BusinessLine

HUBLI, OCT. 3:

The Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (Keonics) is once again making efforts to push north Karnataka as the next IT hub in the State.

With Bangalore's saturation and companies looking for alternate locations for expansion, the Keonics has woken up to promote Hubli as an IT destination. In order to tap investments, it has lowered the rentals at IT Park Hubli.

Keonics quoted the NASSCOM survey findings that Hubli-Dharwad has 38 per cent cost advantage among the tier II cities in the country. This will be Keonics' second attempt to push for the north Karnataka region as an IT destination.

According to Mr H. Devanand, Manager, IT Park-Hubli, the Keonics has come out with a special rental package to encourage IT industries to set up base in Hubli.

“In order to attract them, especially the software developers, we have further reduced rent rate and fixed at Rs 5 a square feet a month. Also we may relax conditions placed before,” he explained.

Currently Hubli-Dharwad houses companies like IonIdea Inc, Sankalp Semiconductor, Nabros, Neilsoft, Pro-Solutions, ClickHubli, Web Dreams and Able Design Engineering Services. Few new companies are being incubated inside the campus of BVB College of Engineering and Technology.

Keonics' move comes after two companies successfully set up their operations.

Mr Manohar Joshi, Director-Systems, IonIdea said, “The major benefits from business point of view, Hubli offers cost of living advantage of 25 per cent to 30 per cent of margins. We can afford to keep the bench and groom the freshers and make them industry-ready at relatively much lower cost.”

“We have also discovered that the communication level has improved well in recent past among fresh graduates and they can be groomed to face global clients effectively and efficiently. It looks to be a workable place to establish ITES and professional services from Hubli in a cost effective manner,” he added.

In the recent past, connectivity – both in terms of logistics and communication has improved in the town, said Mr. Ashok Shettar, a senior TiE-Hubli member and Principal, BVB College of Engineering & Technology.

However, what is most attractive in the town and surrounding areas today is the good work-life balance one gets. “Now people are increasingly complaining about quality of life in Bangalore,” said Mr Shettar.

Simple life and low cost of living coupled with good opportunities for development and growth make Hubli a suitable destination for the IT sector.