COIMBATORE, TAMIL NADU KGiSL’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for Electronic Hardware and Software, including IT-enabled Services (ITeS), in Coimbatore has crossed a historic milestone of ₹50,000 crore in cumulative exports since its inception. The SEZ, which began operations in 2008–09 with a modest export figure of ₹62.32 crore, has witnessed exponential growth over the years, culminating in annual exports worth ₹6,769.97 crore (~25% YoY growth) for the financial year 2024–25. This remarkable achievement underscores KGiSL SEZ’s position as a powerhouse of IT exports, contributing to more than 65% of all IT-SEZ exports from Coimbatore.
Dr. Ashok Bakthavathsalam, founder of the KGiSL Group, stated, “Over the years, we have been fortunate that large multinational corporations (MNCs) have responded to our invitation to set up their operations in the zone. More importantly, smaller yet innovative companies like Ugam (now Merkle) have also responded in equal measure. From the inception, the zone has been seen as the epicentre of the growth of IT exports from Coimbatore, and it continues to maintain the momentum this year as well.”
The SEZ has emerged as a vibrant ecosystem fostering innovation and growth in the IT sector, housing global technology leaders such as Bosch (Germany), Cognizant (USA), and NTT Data (Japan), all of which have been significant contributors to the zone’s export performance.
Currently, the zone provides direct employment to approximately 34,717 professionals, with indirect employment, including contract workers, pushing the total figure to over 50,000, making it a crucial economic driver for the region.
Looking ahead, KGiSL SEZ is poised for further expansion with the development of Wynfra CyberCity, a state-of-the-art facility spanning 1.9 million square feet. It will be both LEED-certified and Wellness-certified marking a first for the city. The first phase, comprising 300,000 square feet, is scheduled to be operational by September 2026. This new addition is specifically designed to cater to international companies looking to establish Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in Coimbatore.
“Higher educational institutions, including our own KGiSL Institute of Technology (KiTE, edu.kgisl.com) and KG College of Arts and Science (KGCAS), have benefited from their proximity to the zone, enabling a vibrant industry-academia ecosystem with tie-ups and internships. This is going to become even more critical in an increasingly AI-first world,” added Dr. Bakthavathsalam.
The SEZ’s strategic location just 30 minutes from the airport, coupled with a rich talent pool from over 20 colleges in the vicinity, creates an ideal environment for both established companies and startups. The ecosystem is further enhanced by world-class social infrastructure within a 5 km radius, including Prozone Mall, top-tier schools, and hospitals.
As KGiSL SEZ celebrates this significant milestone, it remains committed to fostering innovation, creating employment opportunities, and contributing to Coimbatore’s emergence as a preferred destination for global information technology companies.
