Chinese team signs seven MOUs with IT firms

Mumbai, Feb 14 (UNI) Delegates from Wuxi New District (WND), led by Yang Weize, Standing Member Jiangsu Provincial CPC, signed seven MOUs with leading IT firms including Tata Consultancy Services, Larson&Toubro Infotech, NIIT and Indian Merchants' Chamber (IMC) to set up operations in Wuxi here today.

''We believe Wuxi is ideally suited for Indian It firms, and we are ready to offer incentives in the form of land, subsidies, discounts and rebates. Its one of the 14 IT outsourcing zones selected by the Chinese government,'' said Yang Weize.

He reiterated the fact that firms like TCS and L&T, already had a presence and the locals also had an understanding of Indian working styles and culture. Admitting that the Chinese workforce would need to focus in areas like proficiency in English, Weize said that practical courses were being introduced for them.

Elaborating the steps taken by WND, Weize said as per their 'One-Two-Three Plan', the professionals were hired at competitive rates and that the rent at Wuxi District was only USD 8 per month compared to USD 10-20 per month for other regions.

''WND is entering into a strategic alliance with NIIT, which will increase the number of trained IT professionals from 10,000 to 30,000 in the next three years,'' Weize said.

A total of USD 14 million was invested by Indian firms in WND in 2007, an increase of 50 per cent from 2006, mainly from manufactering, outsourcing and software industries.

Expressing his wish to synergise their strengths, Weize said, ''We wish to learn from Indian IT professionals and emulate cities like Bangalore.'' The WND will proceed to Delhi on February 15, where they will meet officials from NIIT and counterparts from various government ministries.

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