MEDIA RELEASE PR38230
NASSCOM: German IT Innovation Shows Way Out of the Crisis
BERLIN and MUMBAI, Feb. 8/ PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Innovation by Germany's Information and Communications
Technology (ICT) industry is a key to rapid economic recovery. Europe's
largest market and a propeller of cutting-edge technology, Germany's IT
industry is responsible for 80 percent of German innovations in all
industries. Left relatively unscathed by the downturn, ICT has continued to
perform well worldwide. Germany Trade & Invest will be presenting the latest
in ICT innovation at this year's NASSCOM India Leadership Forum 2010 from
February 9 - 11 in Mumbai, India.
Germany is leveraging its strong position in ICT innovation to
boost future growth. The industry posted over EUR 133 billion in revenue in
2008 and holds 19 percent of the European ICT market. To secure this position
Germany has boosted funding for research and development projects. The
government's High-Tech Strategy supports the ICT industry with over EUR 1.5
billion reserved for ICT R&D projects. Over EUR 15 billion is additionally
available for project grants and research funding to further promote
innovation.
The ICT industry has an umbrella effect on other sectors,
which is evident in the number of patents the industry registers. These
innovations contribute to industries such as automotive, medical technologies
and logistics industries. With 1,800 patents in 2007, Germany was behind only
the USA and Japan.
One market segment that is currently drawing attention is the
so-called business process outsourcing and shared services center (BPO-SSC)
sector. With a 9 percent annual growth rate, it has expanded in recent years
to become one of Germany's fastest growing ICT segments. As a result of
Germany's highly educated workforce and moderate wage costs, the sector is
projecting a market volume of EUR 16 billion by 2012. BPO-SSC opportunities
will be one focus of this year's NASSCOM.
German ICT was recently recognized by the European Institute
of Innovation and Technology (EIT). Berlin has been selected as a co-location
for the first Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) for ICT. The EIT ICT
Labs project aims at transforming Europe into a knowledge society with an
unprecedented proliferation of internet-based services, establishing
partnerships between business and academia. Selected based on existing
leadership and excellence in the field, the program aims to create new
business opportunities and contribute to society through innovation.
Richard Offermann, Director of Service Industries at Germany
Trade & Invest: "The ICT industry in Germany is highly attractive to
investors. It is performing well despite the downturn and acts as a reliable
motor of innovation. German and Indian IT companies are already strong
partners. This year's NASSCOM is an excellent forum for us to showcase the
latest opportunities for further cooperation in leveraging projects with an
offshore element."
For investors looking to enter Europe's largest market,
Germany Trade & Invest will have representatives on hand at this year's
NASSCOM. Opportunities in Germany will be discussed at the country panel
"Tackling Offshore Challenges in Germany".
Germany Trade & Invest is the foreign trade and inward
investment promotion agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The
organization advises foreign companies looking to expand their business
activities in the German market. It provides information on foreign trade to
German companies that seek to enter foreign markets.
Eva Henkel
T. +49(0)30-200099-173
F. +49(0)30-200099-111
Email: eva.henkel@gtai.com
SOURCE: Germany Trade and Invest
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