Bhubaneswar: Software export from Orissa will reach one billion dollar by 2012, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Laying the foundation stone of country’s first semiconductor technology innovation centre to be set up by STG Private Limited here on Friday, Naveen asserted that Bhubaneswar will emerge as one of the IT hubs in the country in the coming years.

The Chief Minister announced that the State Government will set up three more IT special economic zones (SEZs) in the State.

One of them, the knowledge industry township, will be set up jointly with the Union Urban Development Ministry and NASSCOM while the second one will be established by DLF.

The innovation centre to be set up by the STG will create employment opportunities for 1,600 computer professionals.