http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=50486
Nasscom's Board To Meet In US, Counter Outsourcing Backlash
ASHU KUMAR & ROHIT BANSAL
NEW DELHI: It's another first on Indian companies stepping out to
take on the world. The National Association of Software and Service
Companies (Nasscom) has decided to hold the annual meeting of the
executive board in the US this March. Nasscom sources said the idea to
take the entire executive council to the US is not just to interact
with influential Washington-ians, "but to give key members a first
hand feel of issues on hand: not just as individuals but as a group."
The Indian mission in Washington and the ministry of external affairs
is also supporting the initiative.
As Nasscom executive council is representated by all factions of IT
industry such as software services companies, business process
outsourcing (BPO) service providers and multinational firms operating
in India, the association also wishes to project a united Indian IT
industry in its fight against outsourcing backlash.
When contacted by eFE, Nasscom president Kiran Karnik confirmed that
the next board meeting would be held in the US. "There are two main
objectives. First, to facilitate first hand interaction between board
members and US government officials. Second, to showcase a united
Indian industry behind Nasscom," he said. The Nasscom delegation would
also meet independent analysts and industry leaders to discuss
outsourcing related issues during their two-day visit, he added.
One Nasscom board member cautioned against seeing the trip as a
junket. He said it was an effort to connect with a market that gives
over 60 per cent of Indian software's total revenues. The presence of
the entire board will also make the job of Nasscom's public relation
firm, Hill & Knowlton, easier to facilitate interaction with the
media.
The Nasscom team will meet with editorial boards f some US newspapers.
"The issues on hand are far more long-term and strategic," he said.
Nasscom holds its annual board meeting at the end of March every year
to review the year's performance of industry and to chart out a plan
of action for next year.
The board meeting also witnesses change of gurad at Nasscom as new
chairman assumes the charge of the association.
The Nasscom executive council includes Digital Globalsoft president
and chief executive officer Som Mittal (who is also Nasscom chairman),
Mphasis BFL chairman Jerry Rao, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) CEO S
Ramadorai (both are vice chairman of Nasscom) apart from Satyam
Computer chairman B Ramalinga Raju, iFlex Solutions CEO Deepak Ghaisas
and Infosys CEO Nandan Nilekani.
The BPO industry is represented by vMoksha chairman Pawan Kumar and
British Telecom India managing director Arun Seth, who is also
chairing Nasscom ITES-BPO forum.
The multinational companies are represented by Microsoft India
managing director Rajiv Kaul, Sun Microsystems managing director
Bhaskar Pramanik and Siemens Information Systems managing director
Anil Laud. There are 24 members on the council.
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