The STPI-Hyderabad was established in 1991-92 and starting with an export revenue of Rs 0.02 crore during the first year, it had achieved over 100-per cent annual growth for eight years in a row. The growth rate had come down to 85 per cent during 1999-2000, fell down to 81 per cent the following year and further came down to 42 per cent during 2001-2002.

While Nasscom itself had projected a growth rate in the range of 30 per cent, we have achieved 42 per cent and that too in the unfavourable conditions in the post-11 September scenario. We have also added 114 new units during the year. We are hopeful of crossing the US $1-billion export mark during the current year and we expect a number of significant achievements, like launching the GE processing centre, Hyderabad becoming a design hub and holding a national seminar on BPO, during the current financial year, says STPI-Hyderabad director Col M Vijay Kumar.

The strength of the software export units registered with the STPI-Hyderabad has grown from seven in 1992 to 1,320 as on 31 March 2002. Recovery process is setting in slowly and in terms of growth rate Hyderabad maintained a higher position. A large number of new companies have decided to set up shops in Hyderabad during the year and on the part of the government we have announced two business-friendly policies, regarding hardware and IT enabled services, says J Satyanarayana, principal secretary, information and communication technologies, Andhra Pradesh state government.