Tech it global: Kolkata’s IT sector booms with 70% annual growth | Kolkata News
According to the department of information technology and electronics, Kolkata’s information technology sector is growing at a rate of 70% annually, supported by several state initiatives to promote the industry. This not only does help the industry to meet local demands but also lets companies spread their wings globally.
While Bengal govt has established the West Bengal Information Technology Services (WBITES) and the West BengalElectronics Industry DevelopmentCorporation (Webel) to attract investments in the sector, state minister of information technology and electronics Babul Supriyo has taken quite a few steps to boost the industry, recently announcing plans to introduce a semiconductor policy before the BengalGlobal Business Summit (BGBS) to attract foreign investors to the state’s IT industry. BluCocoon Digital, founded in 2020, provides services including product engineering, AI and machinelearning solutions, cloud migration, and IoT integration. According to Shantanu Bhattacharya, the company’s MD and CEO, partnerships with digital transformation providers offer a strategic advantage in the rapidly evolving industry.
Bhattacharya said: “We’re seeing rapid growth in the adoption of AI-driven analytics, IoT for smarter connectivity, and the expansion of edge computing to support real-time data processing. There’s also an increasing focus on sustainability within information technology, where organisations are seeking tech solutions that promote efficiency and eco-friendliness. Data privacy and cybersecurity remain essential to the market, especially as companies adopt cloud and multi-cloud infrastructures. We have plans to expand into international markets.”
Bhattacharya went on to add: “In agriculture, for example, our product AGRi360® leverages data driven insights to improve crop yield and monitor environmental factors. Additionally, we provide advanced solutions in food processing, pharma, manufacturing, and logistics.”
Somnetics (Som Imaging Informatics Pvt Ltd), a Kolkata-based IT services company, has started global operations in the USA, European Union, and Middle East. Domestically, Somnetics serves around 500 companies and govt organisations. Shantanu Som, founder and CEO of the company, believes e-commerce surge and the rise of digital public infrastructure have driven the demand for IT services across Kolkata and the country.
Som said: “We have both vertical and horizontal expansion plans for the next three years. Expanding into Africa will be a priority. In terms of technological expansions, we have already made significant investments in an AI Lab located in Kolkata. We have started an AI-enabled document processing centre at the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) in Guwahati, and we will soon open a software engineering centre in Bengaluru.”
Somnetics is also planning investments in innovation and software product engineering, with a focus on rolling out “Made in India” software products for global customers.
“India should make the patent-granting system easier and quicker and encourage innovative organisations through policies to market their products to a global audience,” added Som.
In Bengal and other parts of eastern India, there is a growing emphasis on promoting IT companies in areas such as AI, blockchain, and IoT, as well as electronics design, development, and semiconductor packaging, according to Rohit Sarkar, co-founder of Distronix, an industrial IoT product company. “We have been witnessing an increase in focus on deep-tech and IPR generation, hence giving birth to more product companies. There is a slow but steady shift from service-oriented companies to product companies. We are looking to develop, build and manufacture many innovative industrial IoT products in line with the ‘Make in India’ initiative. We have grown almost 2x year-on-year for the past three years, and we are working towards maintaining the same growth rate over the next four years,” said Sarkar.
Many Kolkata-based IT companies have grown globally as they previously lacked sufficient opportunities in the local market. However, the scenario has changed, with ample avenues now available both locally and globally, according to Abhishek Rungta, founder and CEO of Indus Net Technologies (INT) and an angel investor.
“Now, with growing demand in the local market, it’s a big opportunity for city-based IT firms to multiply their growth. INT is an example itself as it was set up as an export-oriented company. We built our sales and delivery capabilities across the world, especially in North America, Europe, and Singapore. We have been growing year on year, creating a global impact. Aswesay, bornin Beng al,built in India, serving the world,” said Rungta.
Cyber audit firm Indian School of AntiHacking (Isoah) Data Securities Pvt Ltd has launched services in Kolkata to help companies prevent hacking incidents. The company works closely with state govt departments, including CID and the Kolkata Police headquarters, on cybersecurity.
Sandeep Sengupta, director of the company and regional committee member at Nasscom, said: “We help MNCs, PSUs, and SME companies in information security health checks. We have opened an office in the USA. We have around 100 clients, including Powergrid, CESC, Titagarh Wagons, and hospitals. With the rise in IT services demand, the need for protective tools against hacking is also increasing.”
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