KOCHI: The rural pockets in the State are making strides in development of the Information Technology (IT) sector, while the sector is mainly concentrated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode. Koratty, Cherthala, Kannur, Piravom, Kollam and Kasargod are the areas where the IT sector is growing in Kerala. With the State setting an ambitious target of $3 billion business and five lakh jobs in the IT sector, contribution of the rural pockets cannot be neglected. In an attempt to promote IT outside Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode, the State Government is in the process of promoting Technopark in Kollam; Infoparks in Cherthala and Koratty and Cyberparks in Kannur and Kasaragod.

"The total IT business in the State, both domestic and export, will be around $1.6 billion by the year-end. By setting up the Technopark, Infoparks and Cyberparks, the government is planning to develop satellite units near the IT hubs so as to promote IT in the regional pockets. Compared to other parts of the country, Kerala offers 30 per cent lower costs and provides electricity at `5.51 per unit, which is the lowest in the country. Such factors will help us achieve the target of 5 lakh jobs by 2020. At five per cent, the attrition rate in Kerala is very low, compared to 25 per cent in Bengaluru," said Infopark-Kochi chief executive officer Hrishikesh Nair.

At present, there are over 600 IT companies operating in the State, and about 11 per cent of the the country's total IT workforce is from Kerala. The Koratty Infopark is spread in 30 acres, with a built-up space of around 50,000 sqft. The new 3.3-lakh sqft IT block is expected to be completed by year-end. A total of 29 companies are operating in Infopark Thrissur, employing around 700 persons. Around 3,000 new jobs are expected to be created once the new IT block becomes fully occupied by January 2016. The Cherthala Infopark is spread in 60 acres, and has a built-up space of 2.4 lakh sqft. Now, about 20 companies are operating in the facility.

"Apart from the traditional areas, IT should grow into rural pockets in the State. Then only the State can become a significant player in the sector. At present, there are visible signs that rural Kerala is also willing to embrace IT," said Kerala Startup Society president K C Chandrasekharan Nair.