Pune has crossed the Rs 9100-crore mark in software exports during fiscal 2005-06, overtaking Mumbai that recorded exports worth Rs 7300 crore in the same period.

The city, regarded as Maharashtra's cultural capital, is also emerging as a major destination for engineering services with over 29 such companies setting up base during the year as compared to 18 firms last year.

The growth in exports for 2005-06 has been 48% as compared to exports worth Rs 6150 crore during the previous fiscal. "The growth has been phenomenal. Over 112 new units have registered in Pune for software and services in 2005-06. The growth in the number of units has been consistent.

Over 100 units have been registered annually from 2003-04 onwards," says P Venugopal, Director, Maharashtra, STPI.

"Pune is shaping up as an attractive location for niche companies that specialise in high-end work. The city is attracting engineering services companies and other companies that require special skill sets such as testing equipment software for medical implants."

Even as SMEs continue to grow with over 84 units registered during the year, MNCs are increasingly considering Pune as a preferred location.

Over 28 MNCs were registered during the year. Nvdia Graphics, IBM Daksh Business Process Services, TACO Vistion Engineering, Amdocs, Eaton Technologies, Veraz Networks and MSC Software are just a few to have set up base in Pune.

Infosys Technologies has been the biggest contributor to the software exports. The company has recorded exports worth Rs 1419.97 crore during the year.

( www.financialexpress.com)