China could eclipse Indian IT: Infosys head
By Staff, CNETAsia
Tuesday, November 11 2003 7:01 AM
China could overtake India in the international IT industry, including the software sector, unless rapid infrastructure development occurs, warned the head of one of India's largest software firms.
"I think China is moving at a tremendous speed. Unless we take some drastic steps in terms of improving our airports, roads, power situation, I think we will loose out," said Infosys chairman NR Narayana Murthy, according to the Hindustan Times, an Indian daily.
He noted that China had created a world-class infrastructure very quickly, while in India's 'Silicon Valley' Bangalore, a three-year attempt to add more international flights has not moved despite representatives as high as the Prime Minister.
He said that during the recent World Economic Forum (WEF) business summit 2003 in Beijing, the Chinese were eager to learn from other countries, unlike the Indians in general.
"When I sat through the WEF this time, I found that most Chinese leaders--whether they are in the corporate world, bureaucracy or in politics--they are willing to admit that they have to learn from outside," said Murthy.
"We in India think that there is nothing we can learn from anybody and we have achieved all that stuff. The problem with that attitude is that we don't recognise problems when they are there, which means we can't solve them."
Recently, research firm Gartner predicted that by 2007, China will earn US$27 billion in revenue for IT services, call centers and back-office work, matching India's figure. India is a powerhouse backoffice hub, providing English-speaking support for many international firms.
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