He said an expert team of software professionals should visit Japan to explore the opportunities in the IT sector and to offer the capabilities of the state to the technology companies in that country. ''JETRO is ready to assist the state government to conduct seminars and arrange meting with potential customers,'' he said.

Inaugurating the seminar, Minister for IT and Industries PK Kunjalikutty said the state's real strength is in the software sector and it will surge ahead of other states in the coming years. ''The IT industry is ideal for Kerala in terms of its potential to generate opportunities and employment with little pressure on land, environment and other resources. This is one of the most people-friendly and environment-friendly industries of the modern times.''

The minister pointed out the steps taken by the government to mould the state into a 'software hub' by setting up the Technopark at Thiruvanathapuram. The state has also taken steps to develop a Hitech Park in Kochi and an IT park at Kozhikode, both in association with the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation.

Kunjalikutty said Kerala has an unique advantage for IT growth because of the landing of the three submarine cables, namely FLAG, SEA-ME-WE-3 and SAFE, which touch the Kochi coast. ''This could trigger setting up of a number of landing points, which in turn would facilitate high-band connectivity that will give a fillip to the IT industry in the state''

Cochin Shipyard CMD Rear Admiral R K Whig, VSNL senior general manager A S Menon, OEN India MD Pamela Anna Mathew, Team Frontline MD S R Nair and president of the New Jersey-based E Comm IT Inc Sathis C Dutt also spoke at the seminar.