Hi-Tech Infrastructure Private Limited, promoted by Coimbatore-based KG Information Systems Limited (KGISL), plans to invest around Rs 600 core over the next two years in building a township at a special economic zone (SEZ), the first SEZ for IT and ITeS sectors being developed at Saravanampally in Coimbatore.
Speaking to Business Standard, KGISL Managing Director, Ashok Bakthavathsalam, said the company was developing the SEZ on 150 acre, of which 65 acre had already been allotted to Robert Bosch India, Cognizant and Perot Systems. Bosch is setting up a research and development centre in the SEZ with an investment of around Rs 250 crore.
Bakthavathsalam said the SEZ was expected to attract investments to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore and generate employment to about 15,000 people over the next two years. “KGISL alone will invest around Rs 600 crore in the SEZ, which will be funded through a mix of internal accruals and debt,” he said.
The company is planning to set up a budget hotel, 400 affordable houses and a hospital to supplement the upcoming industries in the SEZ, he said, adding that the company is open to join hands with private partners to promote the township.
“The SEZ will also help other industries to grow in this region. For instance, Robert Bosch facility will not only create additional job opportunities in Coimbatore, but will also benefit the manufacturing sector in and around Coimbatore as Robert Bosch is looking for partners to bring complimentary strengths to what it does,” Bakthavathsalam said.
Coimbatore, he said, will be the right destination for IT and ITeS companies, which are currently passing through rough times. A business process outsourcing (BPO) company, which will operate out of Coimbatore, can save up to $200 per seat a month when compared to Delhi or other major metros.
“Moreover, there are about 40 engineering colleges and 80 arts colleges, which are producing about 150,000 students every year. Availability of human resources is the biggest advantage.The establishment of the SEZ will also benefit the adjoining villages with the creation of non-IT jobs,” he said.
July 14, 2009
KGiSL to invest 600 crores in SEZ!
July 03, 2009
June 18, 2009
Horn Ok Please!
June 17, 2009
Saravanampatti Police Station!
Saravanampatti can now boast a police station of its own. The new building was inaugurated by DGP of TN, Mr. Jain two days back.
The new police station is located on the Kalappati Road, just 100 odd meters from Kalapatti Pirivu (Junction) where there's already a police check post.
Bad news is, now the cops can easily nab drunk drivers on weekends!! :-(
June 16, 2009
Reverse Exodus @ Kerala
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More than two million citizens of the southern Indian state of Kerala work abroad, with nearly 90% finding employment in the Gulf region. According to official estimates, between 200,000 and 500,000 of them -- particularly those working in Dubai -- are likely to be laid off and return home by midyear. Non-resident Keralites make up a significant percentage of the state's population, and they send back nearly US$8 billion in remittances annually, more than double the state's tax revenues. According to experts, the impact of the reverse exodus -- both economically and socially -- could be devastating.
Read the full article here - http://is.gd/12FQY
June 03, 2009
Swine Flu @ Coimbatore
Coimbatore has become the hot bed of Swine Fluin India with 2 confirmed cases and four more suspected ones.
A 34-year-old woman and her five-year-old son, who had come from Boston, US to Coimbatore on May 28, had tested positive for the H1N1 virus. They have been kept in a quarantine ward at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital.
And unfortunately, a lady doctor who was treating them is now suspected to have developed flu like symptoms!!
According to TOI:
The doctor, who is treating two confirmed flu patients at the hospital, has developed fever and throat pain last evening. Her blood samples have been sent to the National Institute of Communicable diseases, Delhi, Dr Kumaran, Dean (incharge) of hospital told reporters here.
Meanwhile, three members of a family--husband, wife and daughter, who returned from Atlanta to Coimbatore this morning, have also been admitted for suspected flu symptoms, Kumaran said.
PS: Folks, pls be careful!
April 30, 2009
CBay Systems @ Coimbatore
CBay Systems, a leading global medical transcription (MT) company inaugurated its centre in Coimbatore on Wednesday. The new facility on 18,000 sq is located at Rathinam Technopark of Rathinam Techzone Campus, Eachanari in Coimbatore.
CBay plans to hire over 700 people in Coimbatore by December 2009 and reach a strength of 1500 employees over a year. The MT industry has a good presence in Coimbatore, with Spheris India, another large MT company already functioning.
Mr Dinesh Kumar, Director and COO – India Operations, CBay Systems:
"In three months, the centre entailing an investment of Rs 11 crore will start functioning with 450 seats. Coimbatore is hub for MT in South India and the city has very strong MT work force. Also, the proximity to Chennai and Bangalore is an added advantage. In an effort to induct fresh talent into our company, we will be extending our training program to several educational institutes."
An article in ET quoted:
The presence of 27 engineering colleges, 72 arts and science colleges and 18 polytechnics in the city has encouraged the company to start its captive centre here. The city already has three established franchisee centres.
The company is planning to tap the premium educational institutes in the city for training in medical transcription.
Read the full article here
April 28, 2009
Finding Talent!
Mr Jai Murali, Vice-President (Corporate Relations), KGISL, said the challenge was in getting the right talent. The company, he said, will need to place 120 people by June 1.
He has just got back after a two-week tour of the US, Europe and Canada with two mega projects for his company. "It involves 82,000 inbound calls a month and this would soon grow to 1,20,000 calls. They are seeking our service for customer and sales support services. We have 20 agents on the job at present, but will need another 120 by June 1," he said.
He said there were enquiries for voice-based services from a Canada-based travels company, a consumer products company in the US, a charity fund raising firm in the UK and trade fair related queries in Europe. "There are opportunities on one hand, pressure on billing and identifying the right person with the right skill on the other," he said.
PS: Mr. Jay's name is wrongly spelled in the edition.
April 17, 2009
Fixing the economic crisis!
This was an article from the St. Petersburg Times Newspaper on Sunday. The Business Section asked readers for ideas on "How Would You Fix the Economy?" Some people thought this was the BEST idea. He nailed it!
Dear Mr. President,
Patriotic retirement:
There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force; pay them $1 million a piece severance with stipulations:
1) They leave their jobs. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.
2) They buy NEW American cars. Forty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.
3) They either buy a house or pay off their mortgage- Housing Crisis fixed.
All this, and it's still cheaper than the "bailout".
April 10, 2009
Banned Drugs!
We've all been inundated with numerous forwarded chain E-mails from our friends/family claiming that many of the OTC drugs available in India are actually banned worldwide for their side effects... To be honest, I never gave it a serious thought, as we are all too familiar with these chain e-mails cliaming to cast a bad omen on us if we don't forward it to 100 odd friends... Also, I was thinking that the Govt. of India would have banned them in any case and the big pharmas won't be able to market them so blatantly....
I guess I was SO WRONG!!
But DNA is reporting in this piece, that many of the OTC drugs in India are in fact banned!!
Commonly used medicine brands like Enteroquinol, Furoxone (anti-diarrhoeal), Novalgin (pain killer), Nise, Nimulid (pain killer, fever), DCold, Vicks Action 500 (cold), Droperol (anti-depressant), are banned worldwide. Their side effects outweigh their benefits, says the March 31, 2009 issue of Monthly Index of Medical Specialties (MIMS), a reference book for medical practitioners.
The real issue, says Gulhati, is that India allows the manufacture, distribution and sales of such drugs. These drugs were banned because they cause side effects such as brain haemorrhage (phenylpropanolamine) to irregular heart beat (cisapride) to liver damage (nimesulide).
The drugs controller general of India (DCGI) approves or bans drugs. Current DCGI Surinder Singh couldn't be reached by phone and an email sent to him failed to elicit any response.
Here's the old VA500 ad that was a hit!
