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Follow UsPUNE: 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.