Text: FWD Business Desk Photos: Various Sources
Hrishikesh Nair is a happy, though busy man. The InfoPark, where he plays the lead I is moving from strength to strength, so is the city of Kochi. It is going all guns ablaze towards becoming the next IT destination, witnessing a rush akin to the one witnessed by Bengaluru a decade ago. Having been at the helm of affairs at Infopark as its CEO from 2013, bringing in his expertise with some of the top of companies in the world, Hrishikesh has been at the heart of the renaissance of IT in Kerala. In a tete-a-tete with Hrishikesh Nair, we hear about the plans and targets that are in place for Infopark for the next few years and all the inside information that could excite one and all.
What have been the major developments at the Infopark in the past few few years? Who are the major players to have set up shop at the Infopark?
Working towards the creation of infrastructure for the promotion Information Technology industries in the central region of the state of Kerala, Infopark has developed around 4.5 million sq feet of IT space, planning to take it to six million by next year. Currently the park has 200 + IT companies employing over 25,000 professionals. Some of the IT majors on our campus are Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, Cognizant Technologies, ACS-Xerox, IBS Software Services, UST Global etc including MNC’s like EY Global Shared Services, KPMG, Fragomen, EXL services, Mcfadyen, etc. Companies like Wipro, TCS, Cognizant, etc have already set up their own campuses, while UST and IBS are about to start their constructions.
There were also talks of private players setting up their own IT parks within the Infopark? Have they taken shape?
Yes, Infopark has given land on long lease to co-developers for developing their IT parks – Leela Group (Carnival Infopark), L&T (Lulu Cyber Park), Brigade Enterprises etc. has developed their own campus ; while TransAsia, Muthoot IT, Caspian etc follow suit, within Infopark under this scheme.
With the second phase of Infopark coming, what do you foresee? Do you see a growth of an entire township centered on the Infopark?
The ambitious Rs 2,500 crore phase II project aimed at creating 8 million square feet futuristic work space for IT, ITeS companies is spread across 160 acres. The Phase II is envisioned as a `walk-to-work’ township project, comprising educational and healthcare facilities along with hotels, shopping malls, multiplexes and convention centres. To realize this concept, Infopark has created the basic infrastructure facilities such as internal roads, Power station and water supply. Cognizant Technologies building is ready for operations while Infopark 4 lacs sq.feet building construction is in progress and is expected to be ready for operations by the end of 2015. Further, Infopark has joined hands with several global IT companies companies and infrastructure developers like UST Global, Trans Asia, Muthoot Group, Media Systems, Claysys Technologies, Caspian Techparks and Padiyath Innovation for phase II development. Also as a part of creating the `walk-to-work’ township, we were able to tender out an international school in Phase-II. Hospital and Shopping complex tendering are under progress.
How does the Infopark plan to support young budding entrepreneurs and also attracting more investors to the state?
We have been supporting the state government’s activities to promote entrepreneurship culture among the youth in the state. Infopark’s Technology Business Centre (TBC) in Kaloor is just one step in this direction. Infopark recently acquired and renovated 25,000 sqft IT block, which is an incubation facility for IT entrepreneurs and MSMEs. This is expected to give a major boost to small and mid-segment IT firms looking for affordable workspace within the city. Infopark also has a smart business center as NRI-TBI, supporting entrepreneurship ecosystem by creating Incubation facilities for the Non Resident Indians who wish to set up a Business. Also, Infopark in association with NASSCOM is setting up a start-up warehouse at Infopark Kochi, the first one in Kerala. The Warehouse, a part of the 10,000 Startups initiative, is getting ready by August 2015.
What is the immediate plan of the Infopark this financial year?
This Financial year Kerala is emerging as one of the best IT destination in the country. Kochi is one of the front-runner cities in India which has the potential to advance into a strong region for software development, and Infopark has been at the forefront in attracting IT investment in the state. We have attracted over 3,000 crores valued investment and targets bringing in another 2,500 crores through the development of our 2nd phase; targeting to generate over a lakhs of IT employments in the city.
Image from Bino Bose
What have been the major achievements of the Infopark in the past few years?
IT Software exports from the Infopark registered a 53% growth in 2013-14. Currently spread across a built-up area of 4.5 million sq. ft, Infopark targets to reach 6 million sq.ft by the end of 2015 -16. Also in progress is the work on an International School at Infopark Phase II, The St. George school Delhi, which will be powered by the Muthoot group. The Info park now also houses a 5-star hotel Sheraton project in Infopark Phase I, built by Brigade Group. The State’s first World Trade Centre (WTC) has also come up this year at the Infopark Kochi Phase I campus. The World Trade Centre built by Bengaluru-based Brigade Group and co-developed by the Kochi Infopark would prove to be a major game-changer for the Infopark .