Outsourcing out, Collaboration in

PRESS RELEASE
ICT Delegation from India
From: India New Zealand Business Council
Date of Release: 28th August, 2014

Outsourcing out, Collaboration in

Kiwi companies have been called to scale-up in collaboration with the services of Indian ICT companies.

That was the mantra that a visiting Indian delegation of IT companies from India shared with local businesses.

Hrishikesh Nair (Rishi), CEO of Infopark -G Tech and the representative from the Government of India, emphasised on the fact that the way things work in IT sector are now changing. “It’s more about collaboration and not about outsourcing these days”.

INZBC hosted a delegation of around 15 companies in the ICT sector, led by the State Government of Kerela, India in Auckland and Wellington. The idea was to help the ICT companies engage with the Kiwi businesses where they can share their strength in technology services, delivery, testing services, etc.

Rishi, heads the state government’s initiative, G Tech, which is a technology park in Kerela, supporting the SMEs to talk to the world. He feels that the New Zealand market is still growing in this sphere and there is a lot to be achieved in the years to come. “The NZ companies have the IP and good models, and the Indian companies can provide the necessary support in skilled technicians, etc. to scale up their operations on a global scale”, says Rishi.

“A lot of Kiwi companies are still getting to know how international collaborations work, how multi-party MOUs take shape. Most of the companies in this delegation have already opened offices in US, UK, Europe, Middle East and are now looking at Australia & NZ to expand”.

He also highlighted that advantages of working with the state of Kerela, as against other states of India. “Kerela has 100% literacy rate and low attrition rates, as compared to other tier 1 cities in India, thus providing more cost efficiency and stability”.

Banu Jacob, the head of the delegation and CEO of Experion Technologies India, said, the New Zealand arm of the visit was very successful, with many companies showing interest in working with the delegate companies. Calling out to the Kiwi companies, Banu says, “If India is your ICT destination, then Kerela should be on top of your list, as we have the most educated and qualified workforce. You will not regret it!” He also said that the SME Kiwi companies can take advantage of the reach that some of the Indian companies now have globally.

This was the first time that INZBC was hosting a delegation from a state government of India. “INZBC is working closely with government agencies and industry bodies, like: Grow Wellington, ATEED, NZTE, etc. to bring together selected companies for match-making, in Auckland and Wellington”, says Sunil Kaushal, Chair of INZBC.

According to Sunil, the New Zealand market has been very positive and people have made new connections to work with. “Another thing that has come strongly is that Indian companies need partners in New Zealand, to set-up shop, just as the Kiwi companies need them, in India. So the emphasis is on collaboration”.

Sunil said, this delegation was a learning for both sides, “NZ companies have realised the reach that Indian companies have globally and Indian companies have found great technologies. So there is a very good marriage of innovation and global reach”.

The delegation was first hosted in Wellington, by Grow Wellington and Grant Thornton. “Grant Thornton were pleased to host the ICT Delegations from the state of Kerala, India in Wellington. We are very excited about the opportunities this initiative will create for NZ and Indian business”, says Greg Thompson, National Director, Tax and Jay Changani, National India Business Relations at Grant Thornton New Zealand.

The Auckland meeting was hosted by KPMG.

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