Small players should look at Europe: Nasscom

With the dollar taking a plunge against the rupee last year, Europe has emerged as the next favourable option for export, especially in the information technology (IT) services space.

To encourage this trend, National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) has tied up with the CBI (Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries), Netherlands.

This programme is currently available exclusively for NASSCOM member companies specifically in the small and medium segment that are looking to work with European countries. NASSCOM is working as a "Partner Business Support Organisations" to CBI, to help them to implement innovative export development services.

The organisations are jointly planning a 'train the trainer programme', as a precursor to the Export Development Programme. Currently a framework for the export development programme is being chalked out which will focus on the enhancement of exports to the European Union by small and medium enterprises (SME's) in the services industry.

Applications are being invited for consultants for the programme. Once the applicants meet the perquisite requirements, they will undergo an intensive training module which will certify them as CBI NASSCOM trainers. They can then consult Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to help enable them to become ready to export to the EU countries.

Moving beyond the memorandum of understanding (MoU) that Nasscom signed with CBI in 2006, this initiative enables both organisations to work as knowledge centres to fulfil the EU business outsourcing demands.

Commenting on the initiative, Kiran Karnik, former President, NASSCOM said, "Nasscom has been actively working towards furthering trade opportunities for member companies globally. This programme focuses on one (emerging companies) segment, and on the European Union, a market of great potential opportunity for Indian companies."

He further said: "Going forward, we are looking at developing similar programmes keeping the approach focussed on specific segments and opportunities, and are quite hopeful of the direct business benefit it will bring to our member companies."

The team of trainers and consultants deployed by CBI and Nasscom, will focus on diagnosing problems, support enterprises in strategising and assist them in the EU market. The trainers will be sent to Netherlands for a week-long training course, at a subsidised cost.

Thereafter, the participants can obtain certification in enterprise strategy design, diagnostics, need/demand and supply gap analysis to develop their services and to specialise in assisting exporter targeting the EU.

They will also become part of a professional network that includes advisors on strategy, diagnostics, overall management competence and gap analysis, as well as specialists on exporting to the EU. They will hence, be equipped to offer SMEs affordable training and consultancy services in their region.

Applications have been invited for persons who have worked as project manager, senior advisor or senior consultant. They should have at least 7 years of relevant working experience in the middle and/or strategic management of a private or public trade promotion organisation (TPO) or a private company.