Bengal information technology minister Babul Supriyo on Saturday said the state is keen to attract global investors in emerging areas, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and drones.

The minister’s comments come at a time the state’s IT sector is in the limelight following the announcement of the GlobalFoundry’s capability centre in the city.

“Our focus in the IT and electronics industry is to bring in more foreign investment. That is the key to growth,” the minister said at a session on emerging technologies organised by Webel.

“The state and the ministry of IT and electronics want to leapfrog in terms of providing infrastructure and skill development and everything that is needed to let the sector grow. We want to make Calcutta the future hub of AI and ML,” he said, adding that the state has already set up a centre of excellence on AI and ML.

“Drone technology has gone to a very different level and we are very keen to have one such institute here,” the minister said.

He said the state is offering incentives in the form of 50 per cent exemption on property tax and extra 15 per cent floor area ratio on IT/ITeS buildings and has also extended the working hours of the IT industry to nine hours to make the sector more competitive.

“Bengal has a low cost of living and there is skilled labour available. We are open to collaboration with global entities like GF. We understand this is the future,” he said, adding that other tech focussed cities are already saturated.

The minister urged large enterprises in Bengal to adopt one start-up each and lend them knowledge and expertise.