India for concerted action against IT backlash

Monday, 12 January 2004, 20:30 IST
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HYDERABAD: India Monday urged Asian countries to take concerted action against the backlash and protectionist practices of America and Europe in the field of IT. IT and Telecommunications Minister Arun Shourie gave this call at the second Asian IT Ministers' Summit, which began here Monday. "Just as we (Asian countries) become strong and gain our feet in this area, a backlash and protectionist practices have started in Europe, Australia and the US for which all of us should take a concerted view and action," Shourie said in his opening remarks. "It is a matter of concern even in the WTO (World Trade Organisation). They cannot expect us to go on opening our market and goods and they keep closing the market and services whenever our countries attain some standing and strength," he said referring to the backlash in developed countries against outsourcing to India. The summit, inaugurated by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, is being attended by ministers and officials from 32 Asian countries. Ministers from Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Yemen and Bhutan are among the participants. The two-day meet is discussing issues like bridging the digital divide, standardisation and IT development in Asia, digitisation of culture, construction of broadband network and environment in Asia and Internet affordability, management and security. Referring to the range of problems faced by Asian countries, Shourie suggested that the summit select one great project affecting a large number of people for execution in a short span of time as a "symbol of our bonding". He laid out a plan of action for the Asian countries for the optimal utilisation of their expertise and core competencies in IT. Talking of the strengths of the region in the field of IT, Shourie said: "The world recognises Asia's and Asians' power in IT, its innovation and accomplishments in this field". He referred to the achievements of Korea in the broadband sector, that of China, Japan and Malaysia in hardware, Singapore's progress towards becoming a knowledge island, and the substantial contribution of India in software development. He called for closer and greater cooperation among countries of the region so that they could gain more and learn from each other. He wanted each of the countries from the region to volunteer to execute one project and place the quarterly report of the progress on the website of the summit. Chief Minister Naidu said his state was among the first to recognise the importance of information and communication technology (ICT) as a growth engine for the country. "Whether an individual, a company or state or a country, nobody can afford to neglect ICT. Otherwise they would lag behind in today's global competitive world," he said.
Source: IANS