Stage set for BangaloreIT.COM

BANGALORE: This year’s BangaloreIT.COM, claimed to be the largest of the

four held so far, will see 252 Indian companies and about 66 companies from 15

other countries participating. Although falling short in terms of absolute

number of participants the total space sold, 8,100 sq mts is by far the largest.

According to officials it’s 600 sq. mts more than last year.

The current recession and September 11 attacks on the United States has been

cited as the reason for the short fall in the number of participants.

Incidentally America was the `partner' country in the last year's event. Adding

to the woes is the dot com bust which, all put together has reflected on the

number of delegates participating this year, 450, as compared to last year's

600.

Leading the delegate participants is Germany's vice chancellor Gerhard

Schroeder. Others include speakers from the Carnegie Melon University and

Stanford University. The trade show also features Country and State pavilions

with participants from Belgium, China, and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,

Germany, China and UK among others. State governments of India such as Andhra

Pradhesh, Orissa, Kerala have confirmed participation. Gitex and KeralaIT.COM in

the line of BangaloreIT.COM are to be held in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala

respectively, next year.

Karnataka IT minister KB Chandrasekar, said, "Although absolute numbers

show a decline in terms of participation, a few statistics show that overseas

countries other than the US have shown interest in the event. This is reflected

in the number of participation from foreign countries raising from five, last

year, to 15 this year. Business transaction will be enhanced this year with the

additional forum, Global Buyer-Seller meet."