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News >> Technology >>
Indian IT firms facing backlash in Australia
By siliconindia
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Thursday, 08 January 2004, 20:30 IST
SYDNEY: There is a backlash against Indian Information and Communications Technology and IT enabled service firms, which are beginning to enjoy significant success in Australia, due to fear of job losses, chairman of the Australia India Business Council Neville Roach said in Sydney.
Knowledge-based industries like ICT and ITES, as well as Education, Research and Development offer the greatest potential for the strengthening of links between India and Australia, Roach said. "However, a backlash is developing because of the fear of job losses."
"This challenge can be met by advocacy of Australians of Indian origin by emphasising the benefits of offshoring to Australian customers," Roach, who will be among 50 Australian Indians who will attend the Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas, said.
However, Indian ICT companies need to move to a win-win model by matching other global ICT players through investment in Australia, employing local staff and transferring technology and skills to Australian employees and firms.
Indian companies can also collaborate with Australian firms, taking advantage of Australia's low relative costs, excellent education system, strong skills and exceptional domain knowledge, the result of advanced application of ICT across several industries, Roach said.
There was great potential for growth on the Education front, he said pointing out that Australia has become the third most popular destination of choice for students from India after the USA and UK.