Chandigarh, Nov 19 (IANS) Despite the global slowdown, Haryana's exports crossed the Rs.35,000-crore mark in 2008-09, a top government official said here Thursday.

Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary of Industries Y.S. Malik said out of the total exports from the state, software exports alone accounted for Rs.21,000 crore.

Haryana recorded a growth rate of 9.3 per cent last fiscal, Malik said.

He said Haryana had emerged as a major IT hub in the country with major players like IBM Daksh, Tata Consultancy Services, Polaris, Genpact, Sapient Technologies, Vertex, Agilent and Convergys, among others, opening their units in the state.

Haryana is home to big names in the manufacturing sector as well, including Maruti Udyog, Hero Honda and others.

Malik added that Haryana had received more than 100 proposals for setting up special economic zones (SEZ).