The Kolkata Mail correspondent Priyanka Dutta caught up with Mr. Dipal Dutta, CEO of RedoQ, in an exclusive conversation. Excerpts..

When people are moving away from Kolkata, why did you move your headquarters from the UK to Kolkata?

Dipal Dutta- RedoQ’s decision to expand in Kolkata is driven by the city’s rapidly growing tech ecosystem. We see Kolkata as the IT hub of East India, and our expansion is designed to use the advantages of this environment. Kolkata offers significant cost advantages compared to other major Indian cities, with lower living and housing costs that allow us to optimise our budget. We are also confident in the city’s talent pool due to its many renowned educational institutions, including IITs and IIMs. The lowest attrition rate in the sector in India suggests a loyal and supportive employee base. The West Bengal government’s support for IT growth through initiatives like WBITES and WEBEL, which offer tax benefits and subsidies, also creates a favourable business environment.

Is this a well-thought-out decision?

Dipal Dutta- Yes, this is a very well-thought-out decision. The move is a step to tap into a market with immense growth potential and to align with India’s rise as an innovation centre. The decision is supported by several key factors, such as the city’s robust IT infrastructure, its cost advantages, the availability of skilled talent, and strong government support. The positive community feedback we’ve received since our announcement of expanding here has further validated our decision. We believe that by building a strong presence in Kolkata, we are positioning RedoQ for long-term success and growth.

What are the new services you will be providing for patrons here?

Dipal Dutta- RedoQ will be focusing on digital products, including expanding its Kuick portfolio. This includes a variety of services such as SaaS, ERP, Cloud, AI, and a series of Kuick products like Kuick POS, Kuick Drive, Kuick Board, Kuick DB Manager, etc. We are also looking to soon introduce Kuick Studio, a new platform that will allow non-coders to develop specialised websites and platforms for their businesses. In addition, we will continue to expand our offerings in the healthcare sector, building on our current brands, Alrioz Pharmaceuticals and Kuick Pharma. The aim is to empower businesses with technology and help them thrive in the digital economy. We are also expanding our digital marketing services under the brand BeesLoud, giving the local businesses a helping hand to scale globally.

What kind of CSR activities do you undertake?

Dipal Dutta- Our core CSR focus is on developing people’s skills, as we believe that skills are more important than professional qualifications. We want to upskill people of all ages and backgrounds. Therefore, our initiatives will be primarily focused on this area. While specific programs in Kolkata are in development, our initiatives are likely to focus on promoting digital literacy and providing training to aspiring tech enthusiasts of all ages. We believe that by investing in people and technology, we can contribute to the city’s growth and create a positive impact.

What amount will you invest in the Kolkata market?

Dipal Dutta- RedoQ has already invested over Rs 20 crore in Kolkata in the last year. This year, we plan to scale that investment to Rs 50 crore, with an ambitious goal of reaching ₹100 crore next year. The commitment reflects our belief in the Kolkata market and our long-term plans for growth in the region. We have a current workforce of 200 employees in the city and plan to hire 300 more this year, with a target of 1,000 employees by next year.

What are your plans, and how does the India–UK FTA compare to other FTAs in terms of supporting innovation, market access, and ease of doing business?

Dipal Dutta- RedoQ’s plans are centred on solidifying its presence in India and continuing to expand its global reach. We currently have offices in seven countries and are looking to expand into three to five more. The global expansion effort is significantly supported by Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) when they are signed between nations. The recent India-UK FTA is going to assist RedoQ and similar tech companies in both countries to expand and grow by making the best of both countries. This FTA is a modern and comprehensive agreement that goes beyond standard FTAs by being more detailed and extensive. It’s designed to stimulate innovation, ease market access, and aid investment. It promotes innovation through technology protection, which helps safeguard intellectual property and encourages investment in research and development.

The agreement also supports market access by providing duty-free access for nearly 99% of India’s exports to the UK, which reduces tariffs and trade barriers and makes it easier for companies to sell their products and services. It also enhances the ease of doing business through measures like free mobility, which simplifies the process of moving skilled employees between the two countries. These provisions are going to reduce bureaucracy and red tapism, making it easier and more cost-effective to conduct business across borders.