Sunday, April 10 2005 13:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: India's software industry body NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies) today (Apr 10, 2005) said it will help China to set up a similar body of software companies working in the neighbouring nation.

"The interests of Indian IT services industry is taken care by NASSCOM, a body of software firms. A similar model could be initiated in China," NASSCOM Chairman S Ramadorai told the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during his visit here to India's largest software exporter Tata Consultancy Services.

"We will able to help you (China) in this effort," Ramadorai, who is the CEO of TCS, said.

India's IT exports, including BPO work, stood at $ 17.3 billion in 2004-05 and is expected to grow to $ 77 billion by 2008, he said, quoting a Nasscom McKinsey study.

The software services industry which currently contributes four per cent of India's GDP is expected to reach seven per cent by 2008-09, while IT industry will account for 30 per cent of India's foreign exchange inflows by 2008-09, Ramadorai said.

The Indian IT industry employs 8.5 lakh people, while it has boosted productivity growth in textiles, auto components, banking and insurance among other sectors, he said.

"There is no official data about the Chinese IT industry. We have suggested that we form a body of software companies, similar to NASSCOM, and help the fragmented industry get organised," Ramadorai told reporters.

He said NASSCOM is planning to take a delegation to China to learn about the Chinese industry, besides looking at partnerships and collaborations.