http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...2&u=/ap/20041119/ap_on_hi_te/india_smart_city By V.M.THOMAS, Associated Press Writer COCHIN, India - Southern India's Kerala state plans to create a 1,000-acre (400-hectare) zone called "Smart City," where technology companies from around the world will be invited to set up operations, an official said Friday. The area, outside Cochin city, will include office space, residences, schools and an entertainment complex, said Kerala's Industry Minister P. K. Kunjalikutty. It will include software developers and call centers — two of the Indian economy's fastest growing sectors. "Smart City ... will be an exclusive IT zone where foreign companies can easily set up shop without any stringent formalities of registration and licensing," Kunjalikutty said. Indian states are competing with each other to court investments from information technology companies, trying to emulate the success of the southern technology hubs of Bangalore and Hyderabad, which have spearheaded the country's IT boom. Kerala, known for its highly educated work force, has been trying to make up for lost time after India's economic boom of the past decade largely bypassed the state because potential investors were frightened away by its powerful, militant labor unions. But Kunjalikutty said his state's labor force has been changing fast, and information technology companies had not faced any union troubles. Smart City will be created and managed by Dubai's Internet City, a free trade zone backed by the Middle Eastern country's government. It is being built with an initial investment of US$400 million (euro308 million). It was not yet clear whether Smart City would be a free trade zone, or would simply offer assistance to potential investors. Dubai's Internet City offers foreign companies 100 percent tax-free ownership, no currency restrictions, easy registration and licensing and protection of intellectual property, its Web site said.
Maybe they can toss lattes and scones over the walls to the poor folk living in squaller since India is one of the most impoverished countries in the world.
Is this just a bigger technology park? There are similar set ups all over the world. And yes, poor people enjoy a good latte as well on a chilly November night.
Like Greg M said, it really has a positive effect on poverty. The people who have gotten tech jobs in India tend to give money to their extended families, which filters through the economy. I've seen the squaller in India with my own eyes, and they can use all the investment they can get. What's worrisome is the impact on jobs in this country, but I find success stories from developing countries difficult to get unhappy about. The tech revolution in India is one of them. Keep D&D Civil!!
Nice to see the motherland, and more specifically, my home state advancing. Lord knows they've got the brains and the ability to work their butts off. The one thing lacking among so many of them is greed and drive to become leaders of the industry. It's incredible to see how far they've advanced since the late 80's. Talk about tech booms.
while certainly a poor country... india is curious in that it is one of the few third-world countries in the world that makes enough food to feed itself.... if the country could rid itself of its caste(class)system and terrible corruption problems [and that's a HUGE if] i think it could quickly turn itself around... by the way, DD -- what do you mean "home state" ... are you from Kerala?
I don't remember if he (DoD) mentioned Kerala in the past, but I think October 31 is an important anniversary for him
Well, I was born in New Delhi, but most of my family is either in or from Kerala (my parents are in the US). I haven't been back sine the late 80's, though. I'm pretty ignorant about the goings-on in India, which is quite frankly pathetic on my part.
