IndiaSoft Exhibition and International Conferences have emerged as a powerful brand both nationally and internationally. The differentiator of this powerful platform, which is entering 19th edition, is its focus on small, medium and startups ICT companies and the innovative approach of bringing the international ICT buyers, domestic developers and product specialists under one roof to gain first-hand information and finalize business deals. A lot of spade work and thinking have gone into developing this brand and bringing it into the present state and stature. Importantly, since its inception, IndiaSoft has a distinct focus on Africa, among other things. Hundreds of delegates and buyers from different parts of Africa have had visited the Show, took part in the various conferences being held to coincide with the Show and immensely enriched by concluding attractive business deals. Africa4U caught up with Mr. DK Sareen, Executive Director, Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council, popularly known as ESC, who is one of the architects of the Show and responsible for bringing the brand to the present reckoning. In the Q&A lasted for more than an hour or so, Africa4U has tossed a volley of questions regarding the African focus of the show, how its impact in bringing African and Indian ICT businesses together, the quantum and range of ICT business of Indian companies with the region etc.
What is the African focus of Indiasoft?
IndiaSoft, I must say, is geography neutral. We have participation from across the world, such as Africa, Latin America, CIS, Middle East, ASEAN, SAARC and of course developed and emerging economies like US, Europe, Japan and China. Incidentally, we have several features that are mostly relevant to the African region. For instance, products and solutions that are being displayed at the IndiaSoft are mostly suited to countries in Africa, because of their pricing and contemporary relevance. Products and solutions like e-learning, finetech, enterprise level solutions, e-governance, banking solutions etc have buyers in large numbers from all regions particularly Africa, where digitization in most of the countries are in the initial stages. Secondly, there is a price advantage. Products and solutions are competitively priced to suit the pockets of enterprises in Africa. Thirdly, most of the packages sold carry after sales services and are in continuum and not one time deal. Fourthly, most of the enterprises in Africa seeking help are small and medium enterprises. The products on display at IndiaSoft are tailor made to their requirements.
What has been the level of participation from Africa?
ICT entrepreneurs and experts from countries like Angola, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Ivory Coast, etc have been regularly participating at the IndiaSoft. The number has been on the increase every year including a large number of repeat participation. Exhibiting companies from India present innovative products and solutions to all markets particularly to growing African markets. Every year, at IndiaSoft platform, 30 to 40 new products are launched. Some of them like e-banking solutions, e-learning, enterprise-level solutions etc are specifically tailored to suit the African market. Also, some of our member companies have business deals with Africa. My information is that they are growing year after year.
What about state-of-the-art ICT technologies? Are they being showcased at the IndiaSoft?
Let me answer this question in two parts. First, we have many startups and ICT SMES participating displaying their products in artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IOTs), robotics, semiconductors etc. That is the upscale part of the Show. Of late, it has been a great draw, from all segments of delegates including from Africa. Also, this year around, we held together both our software and hardware show- known as India Electronics Show – at Bengaluru. A number of products were on display in the categories of internet products, embedded technologies, Internet of Things etc. That was a great experience for the delegates. We are moving in value chain with every passing year. In future, I can visualize the IndiaSoft becoming a display center of cutting-edge technologies to capture the fast-changing moods of the digital world.
What are special features of this year’s IndiaSoft?
The 19th edition of IndiaSoft will be held in Hyderabad Hi-tech city in 4-5, February 2019. The works towards that are progressing n well. We expect more than 400 foreign delegates including a large participation from Africa to attend the two-day event. There will be close to 300 Indian exhibitors mainly from the SMEs and startups at the meet. There will be several products of your interests on display. I extend a hearty invitation to the African ICT entrepreneurs and experts through the medium of your portal and e-newsletter and assure them that this year’s show will be incrementally better than the previous years’, as has been the case with every successive event. Come, visit us and enrich from the great Indian experience of ICT and buy products and solutions at the most competitive prices, which you may not get from anywhere else in the world.
(As told to Editor, Ms Sheila Sudhakaran)
