Sweden to tap Indian IT sector

PUNE: Sweden, which has edged out the US as the global IT numero uno, is

interested in forging a partnership with India through a number of IT ventures

that would be mutually profitable to both the nations. In the first step towards

strengthening its existing partnership with India, Sweden plans to oursource a

group of 20 software professionals for a development center in North Sweden. The

center is being funded by Ericsson.

Sweden’s ambassador to India Johan Nordenfelt, who was in Pune today, said

in terms of cutting edge technology in IT, Sweden has become a leading power in

Europe. Significantly, this was the ambassador’s first visit outside Delhi

with the purpose of tapping the IT sector.

Sweden is especially strong in areas of mobile commerce, the Internet,

engineering software and embedded software. It is characterized by vibrant small

start-ups. Currently, imports from Sweden into India include electronic goods,

metalliferrous ores, non-electrical machinery and optical goods. The Swedish

ambassador has made it clear that Sweden would be open to the idea of permitting

Indian software professionals to work in that country, although the top priority

will be IT joint ventures.

Trade commissioner for Sweden to India Olof Milveden said that his country

had edged out USA as the global IT major, according to the statistics quoted by

International Data Corporation (IDC), Sweden. The country has more than 600

software companies whose cumulative sales had more than doubled in 1999.

As part of the roadmap prepared after discussions between the visiting

delegation and members of the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and

Agriculture (MCCIA), a number of companies from Pune would participate in the IT

exhibition to be held on November 7-9, 2000. The expo is being organized by the

Swedish government. A trade delegation from Sweden is also expected to visit

Pune in the first quarter next year to tap possible opportunities. This would be

followed by a reciprocal visit to Sweden by a delegation from Pune.