JEDDAH – A top Indian executive called on Saudi business leaders Thursday to join hands with Indian IT companies to tap the vast potential of the industry to spur further the growth and development of Saudi Arabia. Parbir K. Das, Director of Software Technology Parks of India-Bangalore, urged them to follow the example of India on how to utilize fully the application of information technology in diversifying the entire range of businesses, especially in the manufacturing and farm sectors. He made the remarks while presenting a paper on “Your Best IT Business Process Outsourcing Partner” at the Saleh Al-Turki Hall of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI). The seminar was organized by Saudi-Indian Business Network (SIBN) in association with JCCI. JCCI Secretary General Adnan Mandourah inaugurated the function, chaired by Faiz Ahmad Kidwai, Consul General of India and Vice Patron of SIBN. In his speech, Mandourah hoped that the meet would contribute to building successful strategic investment partnership between businessmen from both countries. He said bilateral relations reached the level of strategic economic partnership. “Investment is the main factor that would strengthen relations between the two peoples in the long run. The volume of trade exchange between the two countries exceeded SR108 billion and the number of joint projects reached 500,” he said, quoting from the latest figures of the Council of Saudi Chambers. He also noted that the Indian workforce is taking active part in boosting the Kingdom's massive construction and development boom. Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Kidwai said SIBN is instrumental in further boosting bilateral business ties. “We are concentrating mainly to introduce the vast opportunities in India, especially in the IT sector, in front of the Kingdom's private sector. We have achieved quite a lot of things,” he said. Kidwai announced that some 64 Indian companies are taking part in the Jeddah International Trade Fair slated for Dec. 15-18. In his presentation, Das said the Indian IT and IT Enabled Service (ITES) sector sees good opportunities in the fast growing Saudi market. “Saudi business community can take part in India's businesses by investing either in IT infrastructure or in IT business itself. It is the right moment for both the Saudi and Indian business communities to get closer and work together,” he said. Das said India and the Kingdom can complement each other in ensuring the fast growth of both countries. He lauded the efforts of SIBN in strengthening interaction between the business communities of both countries and supporting each other. “There is a huge potential for this association and this will help Saudi Arabia to take optimum utilization of India's position as a developed country in intellect capital and human resources,” he said. In her presentation, Michele Lemmens, BPS Center Director of Tata Consultancy Services-KSA, dealt mainly with the activities and experiences of TCS in the Kingdom. Tariq Malik, an IT expert, also made a presentation.
