New IT policy should enforce data security, digital infra: ITAAP chief

Vision in Brief:

• Encourage the startups formed by the budding entrepreneurs
• Address the existing challenges faced by the entrepreneurs
• Identify focus areas for skill challenges, fin support
• Position State as a global IT hub by fostering innovation

Visakhapatnam: The announcement by IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh on launching of an exercise to unveil an investor-friendly IT policy has generated a lot of enthusiasm among the entrepreneurs and techies.

They feel that any attempt to lure investors will not only create new opportunities for software and hardware personnel but also open up new vistas for investors in the hospitality, service, education and entertainment sectors.

In an exclusive chat with Bizz Buzz, Lakshmi Mukkavilli, president of IT Association of Andhra Pradesh (iTAAP) said the main focus of the new policy should be on improving the existing landscape and encouraging the startups formed by the budding ‘wannabe’ entrepreneurs.

Lakshmi, who is the Managing Director of Patra India BPO Services, said the new IT/ITES policy should aim to attract new investments into the State and address the existing challenges faced by the entrepreneurs engaged in IT and ITES sectors by enhancing data and digital infrastructure.

She said having a robust data and digital infrastructure play a pivotal role in the technology-driven world.

She said skill challenges, financial support through incentives and subsidies should be identified as focus areas. Also the emphasis should be laid on e-governance, capacity-building, industry promotion, and environmental sustainability. The goal or priority should be for AP to solidify its position as a leading IT/ITES hub in India, propelling economic prosperity and improving the quality of life for the denizens.

AP vision should position State as a global IT hub by fostering innovation and strengthening digital infrastructure. The iTAAP chief said the government should prioritise promoting e-governance and digital services, ensuring data security and privacy, encouraging IT industry growth and startup ecosystem with special focus on promoting gender diversity. She wanted creation of skilled human resources in IT/ITES with focus on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, analytics, blockchain and data science.

Asked to comment on key strategies to be adopted as part of the new policy, she said attention is required on digital infrastructure development and environmental sustainability, extending BharatNet for broadband in rural areas and to empower the youth in rural areas with technology. If given proper support, rural youth can also join the and support the industry and contribute to the State’s IT landscape improvement, she pointed out.

To improve the contribution to GDP, Lakshmi suggested development of public Wi-Fi hotspots in key urban and rural locations, smart city initiatives in big cities, promoting energy-efficient data centres and green standards, implementing e-waste collection and recycling programs. Such initiatives will help give a shot in the arm to capacity building and skill development.

She said there is a need to create awareness of technology in schools and partner with colleges and universities to build stronger foundations, encourage collaboration with industry for training in emerging technologies, and aggressive promotion of AP’s potential for investment and recognise innovation culture at various levels.

The iTAAP chief also advocated developing new IT parks and improving SEZs to make them attractive for the industry to be part of them. Establishing incubation centres across the State and providing grants, connecting venture capitalists to support the start-up ecosystem will go a long way in making AP a prominent IT hub.