Kolkata (previously Calcutta) is the capital of state of West Bengal. The city has a population of almost 5 million, with an extended metropolitan population of over 14 million, making it the third-largest urban agglomeration and the fourth-largest city in India.
Kolkata is the main business, commercial and financial hub of eastern India and the northeastern states. It is home to the Calcutta Stock Exchange — India's second-largest bourse. Companies headquartered in the city include ITC Limited, Bata India, Birla Corporation, Coal India Limited, Damodar Valley Corporation, United Bank of India, UCO Bank and Allahabad Bank Vijaya Bank. It is also a major commercial and military port, and the only city in the region to have an international airport.
Though Kolkata was late to announce its presence on the IT/ITeS scene, it has been catching up really fast. Since the year 2000, the city has undergone an economic rejuvenation largely driven by IT services. In this period the IT sector grew at 70% per annum, twice the national average. Kolkata has well qualified manpower with low cost labour and low attrition rates.
Government agencies have played an active role in the IT sector with the promotion of Salt Lake City and New Town, Rajarhat (“Rajarhat”) as IT destinations. Due to the proactive and dynamic attitude of the West Bengal Government, Kolkata has become a preferred IT destination in a very short time. With specially designated IT zones and benefits being offered, today Kolkata features big names like Wipro, Cognizant, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, TCS etc. The new developments coming up at Rajarhat and the continued support from the Government has ensured that the city is on course and all set to emerge as an established IT/ITeS hub
in the near future. |
