Global consulting and IT companies Ernst and Young (E&Y) Global Shared Services and Cognizant will be setting up their units in Kerela at Infopark Kochi campus, giving a boost to the information technology sector in Kerala.

The agreement with the two companies was signed by Infopark CEO Binu Pazoor in the presence of Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today.

"In the last five years, we (the LDF Government) have been successful in bringing in global strategic investments in IT in Kerala," Achuthanandan said.

The companies that set up units in Kerala during the period include TCS, Infosys, Oracle and HCL, which shows that the state was positioned as a hot IT destination, he said.

Cognizant is signing up for approximately one lakh sq ft space and Ernst & Young about 25,000 sq ft space in Athulya, which was opened a few months back in the Infopark campus.

"Tapping into places that offer a good talent pool and create opportunities for broad-based, diversified and inclusive growth has always been an important part of Cognizant's growth strategy," Potty said.

Global Vice Chairman of EY Global Services Tim Eddy said the new space would substantially allow the company to respond to growing demands for shared services from customers worldwide.