West Bengal to announce policies on GCC, semiconductor, says state IT Minister

In September, a semiconductor fabrication plant by chipmaking major GlobalFoundries was announced to be set up in Kolkata

The West Bengal government plans to announce policies on global capability centres (GCC) and semiconductor in the coming months to position the eastern state as the next IT destination in the country, IT and Electronics department minister Babul Supriyo said on November 7.

Speaking at an interactive session organised by CII in Kolkata, the minister said that West Bengal aspires to be the next IT hub in India.

"By facilitating a conducive environment to technological companies like 100 percent electric duty waiver, 100 percent waiver of stamp duty and 50 percent waiver of property tax, the state will become a favourite destination for the firms", he said.

The government is in the process of coming up with policies on GCC and semiconductor with the view to create digital infrastructure in the state.

GCCs are offshore units of multinational companies that operate across the globe and generate substantial employment opportunities.

In September, a semiconductor fabrication plant by chipmaking major GlobalFoundries was announced to be set up in Kolkata. The ambitious India-US joint project was announced following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden.

This will be its first-ever national security semiconductor fabrication plant, which will produce chips for use in military hardware in both the countries as well as in critical telecommunication networks and electronics.

(With PTI inputs)