Question : EXPORT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(a) whether any assessment has been made of the export potential of the Information Technology from India;

(b) if so, the details of the broad pattern emerging for the different regions of the world for the next ten years;

(c) the steps being taken to identify and encourage export of Indian software and other services alongwith the names of the countries to which it is likely to be exported;

(d) targets set for the year 2008 and foreign exchange likely to be earned; and

(e) efforts being made to tap manpower to achieve the targets?

MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN)

(a) and (b): Yes, Sir. The National Task Force on Information Technology and Software Development has set an export target of US $ 50 billion for IT software and services and an export target of US$ 10 billion for the IT hardware industry, by the year 2008. The major destinations of export from India of IT software & services are USA, EU, ASEAN regions, Japan and Latin America and with maximum share to the tune of 55% to USA. The trend is likely to continue.

(c): The details of various steps taken to encourage export of Indian Software & other services are given in the Annexure. The trend in exports as given at (b) is likely to continue.

(d): An export target of US $ 50 billion has been set for IT software and services, by the year 2008. The target is likely to be met leading for Foreign exchange earning of US $ 50 billion.

(e): A Task Force on Human Resource Development has been set up by the Ministry of Human Resource Development to tap the manpower to achieve the targets. The Task Force has already submitted its report to the Government.