Indian IT pros get maximum visas to UK

INDIAN IT professionals got the largest share of the visas issued by the UK government last year. Of the 18,000 visas issued, 11,000 went to Indian IT professionals, said Mr. Kelvin Green, second secretary, British Trade Office at a press meet here on Tuesday.

Mr. Green said that the demand for software professionals in UK is high. Around 250 Indian companies have presence in UK of which 100 are in the IT sector, he said. Leading Indian IT firms such as Wipro, TCS and Infosys have a base in UK.

Bangalore has 100 resident businessmen of UK origin, the highest in South India, said Mr Green. UK is the gateway for Europe and offers the best business environment for companies in Europe as such it is an attractive destination for Indian companies, he said.

Mr. Richard Kidd, programme manager, international business of Computing Services & Software Association (CSSA) said that the economic meltdown has affected UK software and services sector. The sector which was growing around 11 to 12 percent annually is witnessing a slowdown with its current growth being in the range of around 7 percent he said.

Eight UK companies are participating in the forthcoming Bangalore IT.com said Mr Kidd, down from 10 firms that participated in last year’s IT.com.

Mr. Douglas Alexander, the British minister of state for e-commerce and competitiveness who is on his maiden visit to India will be in Bangalore on 1 and 2 November. The minister will speak at the inauguration of IT.com 2001 on 1 November and also visit Wipro’s new facility at Electronics city and Infosys campus.

Courtesy E-Times