State plans mega infotech exhibition

MUMBAI, JULY 31: Aiming to make Pune the 8220;sillicon valley of India for the next millennium8221;, the State Government has planned to host Pune IT.com8217;99, a mega exhibition and business investment summit in October this year. According to primary estimates, the exhibition is expected to fetch about Rs 1,000 crore in form of foreign investment in the information technology and telecommunications sector.

The event has been jointly organised by Industries department of the State Government, the Indian Investment Centre and Wisitex Foundation. The event launch will be held at Pune on August 2, 1999 at the hands of Dr R A Mashelkar, Director General of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research CSIR. State chief secretary Arun Bongirwar will preside over the function.The State Government has already announced a wide-ranging IT policy and is observing 1999 as the IT year. As part of the efforts to promote IT in State, the exhibition will be held from October 25 to 28, 1999. The event will comprise internationalexhibition, seminars and corporate presentations. IT majors like Wipro, Microsoft and others are expected to participate in the exhibition.

The exhibition will display the world of IT in a microcosm. 8220;It will be a platform for major players to showcase their products, technology and services. All leading IT organisations from around the world will get together at a common location to discuss the latest advances in IT,8221; a high ranking official told The Indian Express.

The seminars will provide an opportunity for experts from Central and State Government institutions, corporate bodies, non-resident Indians and delegates from other countries. 8220;Apart from investments, exchange of technologies and legal formalities will also take place,8221; the official said.The corporate presentation will be a platform for the participating states/companies to discuss their capabilities and needs. It will also provide a platform for leading domestic and international corporate houses to highlight their latest developmentsand services.