The Hindu Business Line : `SMEs keen to tap W. Asian market'

INDIAN IT SMEs are looking to tap "extremely good prospects" in the Gulf and West Asia, with training, banking solutions and the telecommunication sector being key areas of focus, according to a senior official of the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC).

Mr D.K. Sareen, Executive Director, ESC, told Business Line that following the very good reponse to ESC's participation in last year's Gitex Dubai, there has been a whole new awakening to the potential for SMEs to tap the Gulf and West Asian market.

"The proximity of this region to India and the fact that it is an emerging market are aspects that are being seriously considered and ESC is very keen to build on this momentum," he said.

Mr. Sareen was in the UAE in connection with a roadshow to promote the INDIASOFT 2004, the largest IT global networking event to be held between February 10-12 in New Delhi.

He pointed out that there had been a phenomenal rise in IT exports to West Asian market from India.

IT exports to this region registered an exponential growth of 71 per cent in rupee terms (68 per cent in dollar terms) in 2002-03, over the previous year.

He said that a number of Indian firms had made some breakthrough in the West Asian region, with joint ventures being set up and bases being established at the Dubai Internet City and other areas.

Mr Sareen said that ESC had identified four regions - Latin America, Africa, West Asia and CIS countries, where the growth of the IT industry will be significant in the coming years.