Software exports from AP to touch $1.2 bn

Software exports from Andhra Pradesh, which is emerging as a fast-growing information technology destination, are likely to touch anywhere between $1.15 billion to 1.2 billion next year, the state IT secretary Ajay Sawhney said on Tuesday.

"Software exports from the state are growing at a cumulative annual growth rate of over 100 per cent over the past nine years, touching $589 in 2001-02," Sawhney said.

The official was making a presentation on IT growth in the state before the visiting Iranian President Seyed Mohammad Khatami at 'HITEC City' in Hyderabad.

Andhra Pradesh was also witnessing a rapid growth in the biotechnology sector, which was set to achieve the 'same levels of performance of the IT sector', he said.

Giving an overview of e-governance initiatives aimed at improving citizen services, Sawhney said the focus of e-governance was being shifted from 'project-approach' to 'service approach' with all the schemes being formulated from the citizens' point of view.