HYDERABAD: Nasscom, the apex industry body of software and services
companies, is planning to approach the Union government for help for small and
medium IT companies.
"Many small and medium sized IT companies are struggling to tide over
the prevailing slump in the market. The problems are extrinsic to the companies’
competencies and performance. They need support at this juncture as some of
these companies are going to be real leaders once the market situation
improves," said Kiran Karnik, president of Nasscom.
Less than 100 of the 890 software companies registered with Nasscom are IT
majors with the rest being small and medium sized players. Karnik said that some
of the small players had great potential to be leaders in their respective
fields.
"Hyderabad based Pramati Technologies and iLabs, and Bangalore based i-flex
Solutions are primarily focussed on cutting edge technologies and have got all
that it takes to be a leader in their segments," he explained.
Karnik also said that the IT industry will witness a come-back in the
March-June quarter of 2002.
"We expect the current depressed condition will improve by end of March
next year. We are still confident that India will achieve the target of $50
billion export by the end of 2008," he added.
The country is emerging as a major player in the IT enabled segment, which
has witnessed a growth of more than 60 per cent in the first half of the current
financial year. He also said that there are plans to decentralize the apex body
and by 2002 Nasscom will be having its offices all across the country including
Hyderabad.