Nasscom launches software export campaign to Europe

BANGALORE: National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) has launched a software export campaign in Europe. Three roadshows are currently being held in various parts of Europe covering the cities of Zurich, Copenhagen and Brussels.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign at Zurich, Nasscom president Dewang Mehta said, "Europe has emerged as the second largest destination for Indian software and services exports and by the year 2000, almost 25 per cent of India’s total IT software and services exports revenue would come from Europe." During 1998-99, India exported Rs 2480 crore or US $590 million of software and IT services to the European market. In 1999-2000, software exports to Europe from India may cross US$ 900 million or Rs 3,900 crore. The major areas of exports are software solutions for banking, manufacturing, retail stores, apparel industry, automobile industry, healthcare and design.

According to Nasscom, leading European companies are now looking to India for outsourcing software solutions. Some of the companies include - ABB, UBS, Bank of Switzerland, Zurich Airport, Gillette, Nokia, Swiss Air, Alcatel etc. Mr Mehta also added that "203 of Fortune 1000 corporations outsourced their software requirements to India in 1998-99. Out of these 41 corporations were from Europe." Switzerland Minister State Secretariat for Foreign Economic Affairs Laurent Guy said, "we recognise the cost effective and quality software solutions offered by Indian software companies and believe that Indian and Swiss companies can work significantly together in the post Y2K IT opportunities". He invited Indian companies to set up their IT operations in Switzerland.