BANGALORE: A Russian delegation of 20 IT companies led by the country's minister of communications and IT, Leonid Reiman is in Bangalore to explore larger ties between Indian software companies and their Russian counterparts. Briefing the press in Bangalore, Reiman informed that a round table on IT was held to acquaint both countries about the opportunities available.

Russian premier Putin would be visiting the Infosys campus and meeting with senior executives on December 5.

"We see a synergy in putting together the skills of Russia and India. India is good in software while Russia is good at R&D. We would like to work with Indian companies on this front," Reiman said.

He said that the IT industry in Russia, was valued at around half a billion dollar in 2004."This is not very great compared to India. We are looking to learn from Indian companies on how to promote the rapid growth of IT in Russia and make IT more efficient."

About the possibility of Indian companies setting up shop in Russia, he said that he was in India to learn the companies' needs and create conditions for their growth and break barriers if any.

While companies like Intel, Motorola, Microsoft and Seimens already having development centers in Russia, he said that there was scope for Indian companies to set up centers there.

Reiman also informed that he met with Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Dayanidhi Maran and a decision was taken to set up a working group which would work on a draft for cooperation between the two countries.

The Russian government has put in place a digital program called e-Russia, which promotes IT education in universities and schools, e-governance initiatives and has allocated two billion roubles towards this initiative.