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Zero import duty on IT goods promised

In his address at the inaugural session of Gateway '97, an international exposition on multimedia and IT organised by the West Bengal Electronics Industry Development Corporation Limited (Webel), Verma said the phased reduction of import duties on IT and telecommunications equipment is in keeping with the central government's efforts to ensure fast growth in the

T O D A Y

• Banking on IT • Compaq company • Zero duties promised • Aptech deal • Unique IBM centre

high-tech sector.

Besides, the government, in keeping with its commitment to the World Trade Organisation, has decided to allow foreign equity participation up to 25 per cent in the domestic telecom sector.

The idea is to ensure "phone-on-demand" in every village in the country to bridge the gap between rural and urban telecommunications networks.

The minister said that, in terms of telephone density, India ranks among the lowest in the world at 1.7 lines per 100 people. "Taking this up to 6 per 100 would mean an expenditure of $50 billion," he claimed.

West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu stressed the need for collective centre-state endeavour, especially in the area of high-tech research and development "for the development of the country". Basu said he is convinced that multimedia could be an effective tool to spread literacy in the country. He described Calcutta as a natural gateway to the Asia-Pacific and said the city has the potential to emerge as the multimedia city of Asia.

West Bengal Minister for Industry Bidyut Ganguly claimed his state is today in the forefront in such a high-tech, merit-based industry. Despite a late start, it is today ready to receive most of the big players in the global IT industry.

Claiming that industrial growth in West Bengal during 1996-97 was higher than the national average, Ganguly called upon the private sector to assist the state in the development of infrastructure.

In his keynote address, Samit Roy, the managing director of Apple Computers South Asia, described India as being "in the heart of dynamic multimedia technology". According to him, India has the full potential to emerge as the Silicon Valley of this part of the world.

Roy, who dwelt at length on the emerging digital boom, elaborated the imperatives for development of "pervasive multimedia competency".

In his welcome address, Webel Chairman D Bandyopadhyay stressed upon the need to reduce Internet charges for service providers.

- Compiled from the Indian media

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