The Centre on Thursday said it has constituted an expert committee under the telecom ministry to suggest ways to boost indigenous development of hardware and software sector to cut down its import bill.

"An expert committee headed by union telecom minister A Raja has been constituted which will give its recommendations to provide impetus to the development of hardware and software sector in the country with a view to reduce our dependence on import of such items from various countries including China," minister of state for culture, planning and parliamentary Affairs, V Narayanasamy told reporters here.

Stating that the Centre's focus is on promoting the country's IT sector, he pointed out that this move follows the rising import of electronic as well as IT items including software and hardware, which is expected to reach USD 292 billion by 2020.

"To arrest this import bill, this expert committee has been formed," the minister said who was here to attend a function of World Wide immigration consultancy services.