The Hindu Business Line : Australian team scouting for partners

(From left) Mr Shankar Linge Gowda, Secretary IT and BT, Government of Karnataka; Mr Dharam Singh, Chief Minister of Karnataka; Ms Marsh Thomson, Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Government of Victoria, Australia; Mr P.G. R. Sindhia, State Minister for Large and Medium Scale Industries; and Mr Michael Arthur, British High Commissioner at the inaugural of Bangalore IT.Com 2004 at Palace Grounds in Bangalore on Monday. - - G. R. N. Somashekar

Bangalore , Nov. 1

THE SMB trade delegation from Victoria, Australia, is looking for trade partnerships with India, said Ms Marsha Thomson, Minister for ICT and Minister for Small Business, Victoria.

"We have had initial talks that could lead to MoUs with the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu State governments in the area of ICT co-operation," said Ms Thomson. She declined to reveal the nature of the MoUs, saying discussions were still at a preliminary stage.

"Bangalore is the primary destination and our delegation is looking to utilise Indian and Australian strengths to enable both to serve the world market," Ms Thomson said.

"Design and applications by companies from Victoria, Australia, built on top of software from Indian companies is how we see it," Ms Thomson said.

India and Victoria have trade of about $490 million a year, mostly relating to food. The emphasis is now to establish a greater trade in information and communication technologies.

Companies such as Infosys, TCS, Satyam and BirlaSoft are already in Victoria, she said, adding that she would be meeting officials in Wipro and Infosys at Bangalore. "TCS recently announced the setting up of its Asia-Pacific centre of excellence for SAP in Victoria and we are hoping that it will translate into growth for them and us," she said.

The Victoria delegation includes companies such as ATAC Pty Ltd, which is looking to finalise the design, development and marketing of its software product, `Staying Alive'; Australian Customer Management Service Pty Ltd, which is looking for joint venture partners for its ITES BPO service-provider activities; and eCentricInnovations Pty Ltd, which is looking to tie-up with Indian service providers for its technology and solution products as well as looking for distributors for its software and service offerings.

Kilbaha multimedia, which is part of the visiting delegation, is looking to sell its e-learning mathematics content to an Indian company for manufacture under licence and distribution in India.

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