To expand India's IT and BPO sectors, the government should look for markets abroad including non-english countries, Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala said today.
"Potential markets of Canada and other non-English speaking countries like Japan, Germany, France and Italy whose aggregate expenditure accounts for 27 per cent of the world's IT services will create business worth over USD 4.50 billion by 2008 besides giving impetus to the BPO sector," he said inaugurating the conference on "Outsourcing Business Processes and Services: A Win Win Situation" organised by FICCI.
The offshore sourcing of IT and back office services to distant locations such as India is transforming the world of business, he said.
The governor said offshoring was opening doors for employment, providing workers in India and other countries with better paid jobs. He said offshoring was driving positive changes in infrastructure, law and society.
"There will be challenges regarding environmental impact and pressures on traditional ways of life but in balance, offshoring appears to be a catalyst for positive change in most instances", Barnala added.
Barnala observed offshoring could be a great social boon for developing countries like India provided companies apply, review and enhance socially responsible working practices. "If this is done properly, in coming years, offshoring could be seen as a badge of corporate responsibility."