Bangaloreit.Com Fails To Attract Participants

India's technology showcase --BangaloreIT.com -- has attracted fewer companies from the US this year while that from Europe and Japan has increased.

The five-day exhibition and conference in the silicon valley starting from November 1 would witness the presence of 252 firms down from last year's 376.

The US accounts for more than 60 per cent of the $6.2 billion software export in the year ending March 2001. However, in BangaloreIT.com, more than 65 companies are participating from outside US, while there were only 30 in this category last year. This is mainly because of the technology slowdown and the bombings on the twin trade towers of the World Trade Center and Pentagon on September 11.

However, the increased number of companies from other parts shows increasing interest in the Indian IT industry. In the year ended March 2001, Europe accounted for 24 per cent of the country's software export. Indian companies started looking at other countries only last year when the US economy was hit by a slowdown. Belgium, Britain, Germany, France, Japan and Hong Kong are among other nations which have boosted their presence at the show. However, the number of foreign delegates is expected to slip to about 400 from 600 last year.

Major participants at the trade show include Canon, Citrix, CMC, HCL Infosys, IBM DEveloper Works, Microsoft, Sonata, TCS, Texas Instruments and Wipro. Micorsoft is the platinum sponsor of the event to be held on a area of 8100 sq meters.