Ernst &Young to open its first ODC in India

THIRUVANTHAPURAM: Ernst & Young would open its first offshore development center (ODC) in India at Technopark. To begin with Ernst & Young Middle East (E&Y ME) would utilize their center to develop key software to automate the internal procedures followed by the company for its 17 offices across 12 middle-east countries.

Announcing the decision, Khosrow Dabir-Alai, Chief Operating Officer of E&Y ME said, "Kerala presents an industry friendly approach and the state appears to be committed to the process of reform. The physical, communication and power infrastructure meet our global standards". E&Y ME currently employs over 1,700 people in its offices in the region.

Software development services, ITES and network management services for E&Y's clients in the Middle East region are potential areas for setting up the center in India. "This is our first step into India and we are bullish on our growth prospects in Kerala. We have come to Kerala with the objective of transferring the bulk of our back office services to India and we intend to do this as fast as it is practicable," Dabir-Alai said.

The back office services include software development, application maintenance, knowledge management, multimedia content development, technical help and desk services for the Middle East region. P K Kunhalikutty, Kerala Minister for IT and Industry described the E&Y ME's decision as a strong vote of confidence in the state's ongoing reform process.

"It provides a strong fillip to Kerala in realizing its full potential as India's leading destination for investment by IT and ITES companies," he said. Rajiv Vasudevan, CEO of Technopark said that E&Y is the first true blue transnational global leader reposing confidence in Technopark and Kerala.

It has recognized the distinct value proposition that Technopark offers today--a uniquely holistic enabling environment for knowledge organizations at 1/3rd the cost of comparable facilities elsewhere. The Middle East practice of Ernst & Young is an independent professional firm, which has operated in the region since 1923 and is a full member firm of E&Y International. During the past seventy-nine years the firm has evolved to meet the developments within the area.