Hyderabad: Notwithstanding the reports of IT giants threatening to pull out of Bangalore, Karnataka Government is planning to conduct Bangalore IT.com 2004 in a big way from November 1-5, 2004. This year the State is targeting software and services export worth $ six billion.

"Last year we exported $ 4.2 billion worth of software and services. In 2004-05, we are expecting $ 6 billion of exports," M K Shankaralinge Gowda, IT secretary, Karnataka, told reporters in Hyderabad on Thursday (Aug 12, 2004). He was in Hyderabad as a part of Bangalore IT.com 2004 Road Show promotion.

Gowda refuted the reports that Wipro and other local IT giants are planning to move out of Bangalore. "Yes, Mr Premji had expressed his concern over some key issues pertaining to the development of Bangalore. But the Government has re-activated Bangalore Agenda Task Force, which will supervise the work of improving social and physical infrastructure in the city," he stated.

To lessen the burden on the city, Government has also plans of building new IT hub cities like Gulbarga, Dharwad and Hubli.

Mangalore and Mysore are already in full swing in the business of exporting software and services, he said, adding, Mangalore's share of exports was Rs 1000 crore last year.

Informing that this year's IT.com will focus on Information and Communications Technology, he said that Bangalore is still the fourth largest IT cluster in the world and would continue to grow. He also expressed hope that more number of ITeS companies and IT nations would participate this year's Bangalore IT.com.

Karnataka Government and STPI (Software Technology Parks of India), Bangalore jointly hosts the seventh edition of Bangalore IT.com.