Nasscom signs pact with Ireland

BANGALORE: India and Ireland signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to

increase trade and cooperation in the IT software and services sector. This

agreement was signed by Nasscom president Dewang Mehta on behalf of India,

alongwith Irish Software Association (ISA) Director Katherine Lucey, on behalf

of Ireland. The agreement was signed in the presence of Ireland deputy Prime

Minister and minister for enterprise, trade and employment Mary Harney.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Mehta said, "In 1999-2000,

India exported I.T. software and services worth Rs 125 crore to Ireland and

imported ICT products and services worth Rs 80 crore". The signing of this

agreement, is expected to increase the India-Ireland trade in software and

services and reach an annual revenue of Rs 2500 crore (US $ 500 million) by

2005.

According to this agreement, both countries will contribute to the mutual

growth and development of their respective Information and communication

technology industries and help to expedite and maintain the co-operative

relations between the two associations. Some of the features of the NASSCOM-ISA

Memorandum of Understanding for I.T. software and services sector between India

and Ireland are :

• NASSCOM and ISA shall act as the primary channel of
  
  co-operation between the information and communication technology companies
  
  of India and Ireland.
• Support the exchange of relevant and mutually
  
  desirable information and trade missions. Will also facilitate joint venture
  
  and alliances among member companies of the two associations.
• Provide market intelligence and opportunities for
  
  tie-ups in respective countries
• Promoting bilateral relationship between the
  
  industries
• Facilitating flow of investment between two countries
• Encouraging R&D initiatives for creating IPR and
  
  world class products
• Arranging joint surveys, research projects, seminars
  
  and exhibitions
• Assisting each other in representing to respective
  
  governments
• Exchange trade missions and business delegations

ISA is an association which represents an ever-increasing

number of Irish and multi-national software and computing services companies.

Established in 1978, ISA provides access to a global network of ideas and

information. According to a press release, from how to export and expand to

finding strategic partners and investors, the ISA provides relevant seminars and

expert information on all aspects of the computing business to its member

companies. The ISA has targeted the export potential of software and services

companies as a key issue in the development and expansion of the industry.