Kolkata, Dec 14: Information Technology (IT) Minister Debesh Das today said there has been remarkable growth in the software development in West Bengal's IT sector.

''It is mainly due to the immense development in the hardware industry and impetus that the manufacturing companies have received from the government,'' said the IT minister, while speaking at the inauguration of an IT exhibition here that was organised by Computer Association of India (COMPASS). Compass 2007 is a good attempt and the government will continue to extend its hands in support of such endeavours in the state, said Mr Das.

The Minister, while inaugurating the function here, said MAIT has made a major headway in bringing Taiwanese IT industries to India and added that the government has further plans of extending the industry by opening new Software Techno Parks of India (STPIs) in the state and a high end manufacturing industry for computer and related hardwares in Kharagpur.

He also mentioned in this connection that the government was presently giving preference to the manufacturing industry following the recent development in the IT sector throughout the state.

''I am glad that during the last decade, the people have helped the growth of this industry in various ways and I hope the extension of the sector through its manufacturing units will facilitate the development of telecommunication and IT in the state.''



UNI