Mr Lewis said that to be a participant, the company must be internationally focussed, have product or services doing well in the market, and must have a sustainable business strategy.

The Technium Challenge is an international business planning competition operated by Technium and International Business Wales. Technium is a network of innovation centres in United Kingdom supporting the growth of technology businesses. International Business Wales is part of the Welsh Assembly Government. The challenge had been started a year ago, and this is the first time it is being thrown open to Indian companies. Interestingly, this comes at a time when the trend in Europe is inclined towards more outsourcing.

Mr Hubert Tardieu, Executive Vice President, Consulting and Systems Integration, Atos Origin, said the off shoring trend started in the north, but now has spread to the south of the continent as well. The market in Europe is more towards fixed price contracts and large packaged solutions, he added.

Mr Simon Ormston, Head, Outsourcing Marketing, BT Global Services, said the European markets are very different from one another, with each countries having their own system of taxes, legal procedures and perception about outsourcing. He said the Indian companies should demonstrate their ability to deliver, drive innovations and understand the European markets. Mr Sanjiv Puri, Managing Director, ITC Iinfotech, said Indian players are there in the Europe. They have a better understanding and appreciation of the European market, he added.