Nasscom signs MoU with BITKOM

NEW DELHI: Reiterating Europe's potential as a growing market for Indian IT
Exports, Nasscom, has signed a MoU with BITKOM (German association for
information technology, telecommunications and new media), the leading ICT
industry association for Germany, to explore opportunities for collaboration to
encourage trade in the ICT industry between India and Germany. As part of the
MoU, both BITKOM and Nasscom will work towards raising awareness in their
respective governments about key issues such as liberalization of work permits,
resolve dual payment of social security and joint projects for development of
human resources.

Nasscom is also leading a 40 member Indian delegation to CeBIT 2002 being
held between March 13 to 20, 2002 in Hannover, Germany. Apart from 15 Indian IT
companies who are showcasing their products and solutions, the government of
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala will also be present at the Indian Pavilion
at CeBit 2002. This is the tenth year in succession that Nasscom’s leading an
Indian delegation to the CeBIT fair.

Nasscom is also for the first time organizing a one day seminar "BITKOM
India Forum" in association with BITKOM at CeBIT 2002 today. The forum will
provide a platform for ICT companies from Germany and India to network and share
knowledge of respective know-how and thus strengthen collaboration. Nasscom and
BITKOM have also agreed to jointly organize a high-powered institutional and
business delegation from India to Germany at CeBIT 2003 and also from Germany to
India to Nasscom 2003 to foster trade. Nasscom will also be releasing a special
booklet 'India - Your Software Partner' at CeBIT 2002 which will highlight the
advantages of doing business with India and contains the profile of Indian
exhibitors.

Speaking on the MoU, Phiroz Vandrevala, Chairman, Nasscom, said "Germany
is the third largest economy after US and Japan and is the largest and fastest
growing market for IT Services and products. There is huge potential for Indian
IT companies to collaborate in the field of IT Software, Services and
E-Commerce. This MoU with BITKOM will help boost trade between the two countries
in this segment and help Indian IT companies get a strong foothold in the
burgeoning German market."