As we prepare for the Budget 2023 to be presented tomorrow , here are the expectations of the Tech experts.
Vijendra Katiyar, Country Manager, India & SAARC, Trend Micro:
“As the Government of India gets set to present its budget for FY 2023–24 tomorrow, the technology sector will be keeping a close eye on the investment made towards securing the evolving digital infrastructure in the country. Cyber-attacks increased significantly in 2022, with the total number reported by CERT-IN standing at 12.67 lakh, including attacks on critical governmental infrastructure ranging from Indian Railways and CDS (Central Depository Services) to AIIMS, indicating the urgency with which this issue must be addressed. A robust digital infrastructure with a proper security framework is a necessity for sustainable growth in the current environment. For the 2023–2024 budget, the industry expects an enhanced focus on cyber security programmes to encourage talent building, secure digital infrastructure for businesses, and implementing information security training across government, healthcare, BFSI verticals, etc. that saw increased cyberattacks in 2022. Funds should also be allocated equally towards research and development in the field of cybersecurity, given its criticality. Along with it, a fair share of the budget should also be allocated towards bridging the widening talent gap. Post the developments in the past year, it will be of utmost importance to realise that cybersecurity is not a luxury anymore, but the need of the hour. Moreover, it is important that the entire ecosystem—from government to educational institutions, corporations, and industry bodies—work more closely to enable a secure digital India.”
Uthaman Bakthikrishnan, Executive Vice President, ClearTouch:
“The government is putting a major emphasis on digitization in the current year, making the IT sector a crucial pillar for this goal. The industry is eagerly awaiting tomorrow’s budget, as the IT-BPM sector saw a contribution of 7.6% to the economy in the previous year, with expectations for this figure to increase to 10%. It is imperative that workers have access to the proper training and upskilling opportunities to continue this growth trajectory. This is why continuous training and reskilling is of the utmost importance.
As per the 23rd economic survey, the country has 9000 start-ups and it is essential for the country’s growth to provide them, as well as MSMEs and corporations, with the right opportunities through subsidies and SEZs. Opportunities are no longer limited to just metro cities, as smart cities are offering opportunities across the country; Bhubaneshwar has become the IT city of the east and the upcoming GIFT city in Gandhinagar showcases how the horizon is broadening for IT across the country. With the introduction of 5G, the existing digital infrastructure is reaching new heights, providing opportunities for everyone from corporations to the general public. This has had a positive impact on multiple sectors such as data centers, education, and fin-tech, allowing them to achieve more with faster internet.
Overall, this budget is poised to be a time of growth and opportunity for all, with the IT sector at the forefront of this progress.”