The State government is planning to give a special thrust to the animation and gaming sector as part of its initiative to give a boost to the Information Technology sector.
Recognising animation and gaming, visual/special effects and digital entertainment as a sunrise industry, the government is contemplating setting up a gaming and animation park spread over 30 acres at Raidurg on the outskirts of the city.
In the socio-economic survey report for 2012-13, it envisaged that the animation park would have built-up incubation space, shared studios, processing labs, media centre, conference facilities, transit office, business centre and other such amenities.
A gaming and animation academy will be set up in collaboration with a reputed organisation to prepare students for employment in the sector.
Targets set
As part of its Information and Communication Technology Policy (2010-15), the government has already set targets for achieving Rs. 70,000 crore exports, annual growth rate of 17 per cent, new direct employment generation of 1.25 lakh and indirect employment of another 5 lakh.
The survey put the IT exports from the State during 2011-12 at Rs. 40,646 crore with the employment of 3,18,624 personnel.
Among the tier-II IT locations, Visakhapatnam had exports to the tune of Rs. 1,200 crore with a head count of 16,000.
Vijayawada, Kakinada and Tirupati have also made a beginning, though in a small way.
Further, the government is planning to create Electronic Hardware Manufacturing Clusters (EHMCs) in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam. It has proposed to organise ICT promotion event – Advantage AP 2013’ – with the objective to project AP as the most preferred destination for IT/ITES sectors globally, to create awareness about trends/opportunities in the two sectors for small and medium business enterprises and to create a platform for interaction between IT/ITES companies and the customers.
Congenial conditions for women
The government will also make efforts to increase the role of women in ICT by pressing for fair practices in recruitment, promotions, career opportunities, project allocations and training opportunities.
Besides, congenial working conditions will be provided for the smooth working of women employees.
