CeBIT targets mid-size European Cos

NEW DELHI:



CeBIT, world's largest trade fair, has partnered with Infocom to provide an

opportunity for European mid-size companies to showcase their products in India.

Infocom 2006 will be held in Kolkata in December.

In an exclusive interview with Bhaskar Hazarika from CyberMedia News,

Eberhard Roloff, director, Central and Eastern Europe, Deutsche Messe AG,

referred India as the preferred IT destination for the European companies.

D.D. Purkayastha, executive director and COO, ABP Private Limited and

Organizing Secretary Infocom, highlighted the focus of the event and

participation of the companies in it.

CMN: What made CeBIT target India? Till now your focus has been China in

the APAC region, why have you chosen to enter India market at this particular

point of time?

Roloff: India has a huge potential in the IT and Telecom sector.

India's growth rate has attracted us to enter the India market. It is a market,

which cannot be neglected by the international companies at this point of time

when it is witnessing a rapid growth. This event will provide a platform for the

companies to develop contacts with the Indian clients.

It is true that we have been focusing on China till now, but we need to

expand and make our reach across the globe. Above all, the European companies

are highly interested to develop contacts with the Indian clients.

CMN: How do you see India's position as a prospective market in Europe?

Roloff: India is a growing market, if we see it from the global point

of view. In the Asia-Pacific, India is one of the fastest growing countries in

the IT sector.

CMN: How do you see the telecom industry in India in comparison with

China, which has been your focus for the last couple of years?

Roloff: I believe the rate at which the subscriber base is increasing,

proves it to be at a rapid growth stage. With number of service providers making

announcements about new additions every month, has drawn the attention of the

international players in the Indian market.

Purkayastha: Currently, the Indian telecom market is witnessing the

growth, which attracts the global companies to invest in this market. Presently,

India is the focus of attention among the global companies. Huge investments

have created opportunities for the companies to start their operations,

attracting partnerships and businesses.

CMN: Your vision on how the IT industry is likely to mature and what kind

of role CeBIT seeks to play in propelling the growth?

Roloff: The global market sees great potential in the IT industry,

which is witnessing a high time here. There are huge developments and growth in

this industry currently.

CMN: How many European companies are to participate in the Infocom 2006?

Roloff: We have just started our marketing activities for the event.

It would not be possible to reveal any estimated numbers on the participating

companies. But we will be targeting the mid-size companies for this event.

However, the Hanover event in 2005 witnessed the participation of 6,200

exhibitors from 70 countries.

Purkayastha: We are expecting enthusiastic participation from Indian

companies in the event. On the numbers it would not be possible to reveal it as

we have contacted only a couple of companies on that front.

CMN: Which are the companies you are targeting in India? Are you targeting

the participation of the manufacturing sectors in the event?

Purkayastha: This is the event would focus on ICT in manufacturing and

healthcare. The companies related to this field will participate in the event.

Yes, we will be targeting the manufacturing sector as well. It is one of the

core sectors in the forthcoming event.

CMN: What will be the areas of these companies you are targeting?

Purkayastha: The areas would be from IT, ITES, manufacturing, Digital

solutions, Telecom and products and services. We would also be targeting the

local vendors in this event.

© CyberMedia News