Indian enterprise IT spending across all industry markets is forecast to surpass USD 39 billion in 2012, a 10.3 per cent increase from the previous calendar year figure of USD 36 billion, says Gartner Inc.

The growth of IT in India is expected to continue, with an annual increase to exceed this level through to 2015, the technology researcher said in a statement.

"The pace of economic growth in India, with a mild, by global standards, dip during the worldwide recession in late 2008 and 2009 has brought the role of IT into sharp focus within many enterprises," said Derry Finkeldey, principal research analyst at Gartner.

The Indian enterprise market is quite distinct from other markets in Asia/Pacific, said Finkeldey.

"The retail industry is expected to achieve the strongest growth in percentage terms in 2012, where IT spending is forecast to grow 11.8 per cent," Gartner said.

"Recent decisions to allow 100 per cent foreign direct investment in single brand retail, and up to 51 per cent in multi-brand retail, are expected to provide the sector with a significant boost in terms of IT usage and adoption. Selection of partners with deep vertical expertise will be crucial to success," it said.

The best growth opportunities in terms of actual dollars would remain within the large manufacturing, government- and state-owned enterprises, communications and financial services sectors, it was stated.