Nasscom inks MoU with German Association for BITKOM

Alliance to contribute towards the growth and development of the ICT sectors in both Germany and India

Nasscom the premier trade body and the “voice” of the Indian IT industry, today announced the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with German Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media (BITKOM). The MoU is aimed at encouraging contribution towards growth and development of ICT sectors in both countries.

As a part of this MOU both bodies will outline and implement joint activities focused at further strengthening understanding and co-operation between the ICT industries of India and Germany. The two secretariats of BITKOM and Nasscom will act as the primary channel for the co-operation between ICT industries of the two countries and wherever possible include third parties such as trade chambers; associations etc. in their joint endeavours. The main areas of co-operation will include specific sub-sectors of the ICT industry including software and services. The MoU was signed by Mr. Som Mittal and BITKOM.

Speaking at the signing the MoU, Mr. Ameet Nivsarkar, Vice President, Nasscom said “Nasscom is pleased to partner with BITKOM and with this association we hope to further strengthen the ICT collaboration between India and Germany. Collaboration has become crucial in today’s economic scenario, this partnership will play a key role in facilitating mutually beneficial business opportunities in both the countries. Given the growing international interdependence in the ICT sector and in particular the close business relationship between Indian and German ICT companies focusing on business process outsourcing, we are confident that this partnership will play a vital role in the development of the ICT sectors in both countries and contribute towards creation of a global knowledge society.”

Various activities to be undertaken as per the agreement include:

• Encouraging participation of member companies to trade fairs and conferences such as CeBIT or the Nasscom fora, starting with the Nasscom leadership forum (Mumbai) and CeBIT 2009 (Hannover).
• Organizing an annual conference to support the companies’ business development, starting with the Indo-German conference on May 14, 2009 (Cologne).
• Co-operating in each other’s respective surveys, studies, seminars, exhibitions and other activities, as appropriate. This includes examining a Nasscom participation in market research activities in the framework of the European Information Technology Observatory (EITO).
• Fostering the exchange of trade missions and business delegations to both Germany and India, if wished so by the associations’ members.

About BITKOM
BITKOM is the voice of the information technology, telecommunications, and new media industry in Germany. BITKOM represents more than 1,200 companies, with 900 direct members, including practically all German global players as well as 600 key midsize companies. BITKOM’s membership generates a sales volume of 135 billion euros annually, exporting 50 billion euros worth of high technology each year. BITKOM thus represents 90 percent of the German ICT market.

About Nasscom
Nasscom (www.nasscom.in) is India's National Association of Software and Service Companies, the premier trade body and the chamber of commerce of the IT software and services industry in India. Nasscom is a global trade body with over 1200 members, of which over 250 are global companies from the US, UK, EU, Japan and China. Nasscom's member companies are in the business of software development, software services, software products, IT-enabled/BPO services and e-commerce. Nasscom has been the strongest proponent of global free trade in India.

Nasscom is committed to work proactively to encourage its members to adopt world class management practices, build and uphold highest quality standards and become globally competitive. In India and around the world, Nasscom members are participants in the new global economy and are reputed for their cutting-edge business practices and social initiatives.