Smart cities will require considerable system integration, simplification and standardisation of geo data which will be key enablers of building projects across India. The Government must set aside a share of PPP for fund mobilization of smart city projects.
By Dr. Chandan Chowdhury
India is on its way to evolving as a super power by 2020 and last year’s budget set us in the right direction. It focused on the key indices of comprehensive growth including boosting digital literacy, improved connectivity and access to technology across sectors. The dynamic ‘Make in India’ campaign has been a great success and we are looking forward to its positive returns in the years to come.
We believe that programmes such as Digital India, Start-Up India and Smart Cities need a strong technological infrastructure that must be supplemented with budgetary support from the government.
We look forward this year, to a budget focussed more on ‘smart cities’. Over the last two years Prime Minister and his government has taken steps to ensure the selection of right cities and bringing together experts and technology to implement the project. Building these Smart cities will require considerable system integration, simplification and standardisation of geo data which will be key enablers of building projects across India. The Government must set aside a share of PPP for fund mobilization of smart city projects.
Given that India is being looked upon as an advanced technology hub by foreign multinationals, a lower corporate tax will make India’s IT market more lucrative. Local manufacturing is the back bone for Make in India, it is important that our Foreign Trade Policy recognises the need to ensure world class manufacturing facilities adoption by domestic players. The policy must offer subsidies on investments and incentives to small scale manufacturers and encourage easier imports of capital goods, industrial raw materials, tools and components with a view to upgrading the quality and competitiveness of our domestic manufacturing.
Finally, in order to accelerate the GDP growth of our nation, the budget also needs to focus on ‘high technology skill development’ and create industry ready talent.
The author is Managing Director-India, Dassault Systemes
