Hyderabad, Jan 10 (KNN) Telangana IT and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao on Monday urged the IT companies to ponder on expanding their operations to Tier-II towns in the State.

During an interactive session with leaders of the IT industry organised by the Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association (HYSEA), Rao said that the IT firms should look to expand beyond Hyderabad.

He also asked the industrialist for suggestions on how the state government could ensure that local youth receive the majority of job opportunities. “The State government  has been working to establish a partnership between industry and academia,” he said.

The IT sector in the State has grown from 3.23 lakh to 8.7 lakh and IT exports have increased from Rs 57,000 crore in 2014 to Rs 1.83 lakh crore in 2022.

Citing Nasscom’s report, the minister pointed out that of the 4.5 lakh jobs created in the IT sector in India last year, 1.5 lakh or one-third of the total were added in Hyderabad, outpacing Bengaluru, which added 1.46 lakh. “The number of employees and employers who are looking at Hyderabad is growing. I sincerely believe that this is just the beginning,” he said.

During the interaction, the minister also highlighted the vigorous innovation ecosystem created by the Telangana government, including T-Hub, We-Hub, Telangana State Innovation Cell (TSIC), WASH Hub, T-Works and others.

The state government is currently working on the B-Hub for biotech and life sciences industries and will inaugurate T Works later this year.  (KNN Bureau)