Advantage AP summit kicks off at HICC

Hyderabad, March 1 (INN): With the theme of 'Andhra Pradesh is the Most Preferred IT destination for IT and ITES Sectors', the two-day Advantage AP Conference and Exhibition began at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) on Tuesday. Over 1,500 delegates are expected to take part in the event, with over 200 companies showcasing their innovative products and solutions designed and developed in Andhra Pradesh.

The two-day summit is being organized by Information Technology and Communications Department of the state government, the IT and ITES Industry Association of Andhra Pradesh (ITsAP) and the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI).

The summit comes at a time when the state registered an export turnover of 33,482 crore (US $7 billion), contributing a significant 15 per cent to the nation's overall IT exports in the Financial Year 2009-2010. Hyderabad has also topped NASSCOM's list of Super Nine IT and ITES destinations in the country. The summit aims to set the stage for the next leap forward for Andhra Pradesh, according to the government.

This conference will provide a forum for IT and ITES companies, academic institutions, governments, and end-customers (users) of various Industries to collaborate and leverage the enabling environment that AP has to offer by deepening their understanding of the state's pioneering role in leveraging the Information and Communications Technology for the benefit of the common man.

The summit will also seek to provide information about the preferential Policies offered by state government, the infrastructure availability and expansion plans, the talent availability and skill enhancement initiatives. Besides this, potential offered by Tier II cities in AP, the solutions devised and developed by IT and ITES companies in the country, the IT and ITES Opportunities in industry sectors like Manufacturing, Retail, Government, Banking and Financial Services, Healthcare and the role of innovation for the sustainable growth

The state government will try to project that is has all the necessary ingredients such as the quality and quantity of the talent that produce more than 30 per cent of engineering output of the country, world class infrastructure, tier II cities including Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Vijayawada, Kakinada, and Tirupati.

At the conference, participants will be able to gain firsthand experience of why AP has quickly become the most preferred destination for the IT and ITES industry and the associated technological advancements made in recent times.

The Product Showcase and Awards track of the conference will showcase a host of products innovated and developed in AP. Products will be considered in six categories - MNC, Established Indian, Startup in Consumer Solutions, Startup in Enterprise Solutions, Non-Indian Startups, and Social Impact sector. During the 2 days, over 200 companies would be showcasing their products and solutions developed in Andhra Pradesh.

A jury comprising leaders from the industry, academia and VC communities will screen nominations and select products to be presented at the Showcase and demonstrated at the Exhibition, enabling a networking of startups, partners, investors and customers (amongst the CIO invitees).

The track will also have seminars that will deliberate on various aspects of the startup eco-system, with eminent leaders from the industry sharing their views and experiences. The track will have highly-accomplished self-made entrepreneurs sharing their experience of building their enterprises. Further, there will be other tracks focusing on new technologies, business models and innovation.

The economic contribution of IT and ITES sectors to the state is enormous that the sectors employ more than 2.5 lakh people through direct employment and another 9 lakh people through indirect employment, and hence the sector has to grow further to ensure that the young population of the state is equipped with the good employment. The state Government's has always been extending full support for the growth of IT and ITES sectors in Andhra Pradesh.

The state has been a pioneer in promulgating ICT for common man for the flagship programs including Aarogyasri, NREGA, APOnline, eSeva etc. IT and C Principal Secretary Ratna Prabha has mentioned that Government of Andhra Pradesh has always been with the Industry and Andhra Pradesh is one of the few states to declare IT and ITES as an essential service and also the first to announce preferential policies for Small-Medium IT and ITES companies.