IT industry in Kerala was growing at a rate of 2-3 per cent and state was one of the fastest growing IT destinations in the country,State IT Principal Secretary Ajay Kumar said here today.

More than 10,000 jobs were created in IT sector during the current year and target for the coming year was more than that, Ajay Kumar told a press meet organised in connection with the conduct of India ICT Summit-2010 at Kochi on December 14 and 15.

However, perception among IT investors, especially foreign, that Kerala was a 'militant' state still continued to be of one the constrains for a faster growth of IT, V K Mathews, Chairman of the Summit and CEO, IBS Group of Companies, said.

One of the agenda of the meet was to showcase the investment potential of Kerala as a IT destination for national and foreign audiences, Mathews said.

Improvement in social infrastructure also required for a faster IT growth in the state, Mathews said.

To a question on the delayed SmartCity IT Project at Kochi promoted by Dubai based TECOM, Mathews said that a single project should not be a stumbling block for the growth of the sector as a whole.

'We should overplay the delay in implemeting the SmartCity project. We should look beyond that', Mathews said adding ofcourse effert should be made to resolve the issue.

To a question on the working condition of women employees in IT sector, Mathews said more and more women were now joining IT sector.

'This is a sector where exploitation was very less compared to other field. They are well paid and looked after', he said.

In some case, women also had to undergo tension just like men, he said adding that should not be looked as major issue.

On government approach towards IT in the state, Mathews said he had worked both with CPI-M led LDF and Congress headed UDF government and never experienced any problem.

There was no negative stuff in Kerala. But, somehow some kind of impression have registered in the minds of some people about Kerala. 'Efforts have to be made to change that perception', he added.

Over 400 delegates comprising politicians, government officials, leaders from IT industry including Infosys CEO Kris Gopalakrishnan, CIO Qantas Airlunes David Hall,TCS VP Tanmoy Chakrabarty would participate at the meet.