Bangalore: Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) is unlikely to be corporatised within the next four to five years as it needs to continue to play its "angel role" and consolidate itself, a top government official hinted on October 30.

"I don't see corporatisation of STPI as one of the most important things we need to do in the next four to five years. STPI needs to consolidate its angel role," secretary in the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, R R Shah, told reporters.

STPI needs to continue to build brand equity for India and a lot of work still needs to be done in this regard, he said, adding that one can't corporatise one part of STPI.

Only a few STPI centres are making profit, surplus yield of which are being utilised in other centres. "How can you fund such centres if STPI is corporatised. STPI centres need to stand on their own legs," he said.

"I don't think looking at corporatisation at this stage is conducive to STPI to continue to play angel role on a country-wide basis," he commented but hastened to add that STPI would have to be eventually corporatised.

PTI