Tap European software markets - Mahajan

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, FEB. 23. The Minister for Information Technology, Mr. Pramod Mahajan, today asked the software industry to diversify its overseas markets. ``India's prowess as a global IT major in software technology can be sustained only if the industry initiated a strategy to diversify its target markets globally,'' he said while inaugurating the ``IndiaSoft 2001'' exposition here today.

Diversification would not only ensure strategic linkages but also lessen dependence on regional market fluctuations and economic slow down. ``It should be our endeavour not to over-expose our potential to one single market segment. Initiatives in the future should look forward to tapping India's software potential in global markets located in Europe, Southeast Asia and in the developing countries,'' he observed.

Elaborating further, Mr. Mahajan said diversification of software products in Europe had tremendous market potential. There was a lot of synergy between India and the Europe and a market-oriented initiative would be able to tap the common IT potential between the two regions.

The Minister also highlighted the role of IT as a catalyst in the country's ``Look East'' policy and touched upon the benefits accruing to both India and China as a result of the recently signed MoU on IT between the two countries. He also called upon the participants to tap the IT potential and scope for strategic partnership between India and developing countries. Initiatives such as these would ensure positive technological and geographical bondage between India and the rest of the world.

The biggest challenge facing the IT industry today was to think and act globally. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the IT industry must become smart and modern and the underlying philosophy for such enterprises should rest upon the bold theme of not compromising on quality and adhering to strict time management. The Minister also touched upon the need of initiating a modern management and accounting systems in IT industries that would adhere to international standards and were open and transparent.

Earlier, in his welcome address the Chairman of Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council, Mr. Vivek Singhal, said the organisation had promoted India's brand equity globally as an IT software major. He touched upon the key features of IndiaSoft 2001 and spoke of the opportunities offered to Indian and foreign participants.

IndiaSoft 2001 showcases Indian software capabilities with special emphasis on the achievements of SMEs. It aims to provide a visible momentum to India's software exports to achieve the target of $50 billion by the year 2008.

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