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India Enjoying a Boom in Electronics Exports to ME

DUBAI — The Middle East has become the third-biggest market for Indian electronics hardware, with the region accounting for a 145 per cent surge in sales of Indian-made gadgets and equipment in the fiscal year 2008-09, the regional head of India’s computer and electronics trade group said on Monday.

India exported over $1 billion worth of electronics to Middle Eastern countries in 2008-09, up from $411 million in 2007-08. “This is a phenomenal growth that underscores the increasing acceptance India-made products are gaining in this region,” said Kamal Vachani, the Middle East Regional Director of the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council, or ESC.

Vachani, speaking at the inauguration of the Indian Pavilion at Gitex, said the growth in electronics hardware and software exports to this region was in line with an overall boom in India’s worldwide exports of electronics. In fiscal 2008-09, India’s global exports of electronics increased by a record 107 per cent to $6.8 billion from $3.28 billion in 2007-08.

The Indian Pavillion is the largest yet mounted by India at Gitex, with the participation of 60 exhibitors who will be showcasing their products and services. Indian Consul General in Dubai Venu Rajamony inaugurated the pavillion.

The Middle East market’s share of Indian’s global export of electronics hardware has increased to 14.8 per cent in 2008-09 from 12.5 per cent the previous year, making the region the third top destination for Indian electronics shipments, Vachani said.

Exports of software and related services to the Middle East also recorded “an excellent growth of 161 per cent,” he said.

“Export of software and services rose from $569 million in 2007-08 to $1.5 billion in 2008-09, while India’s global exports of software and services hit a record $49.54 billion, up from $43.46 billion estimated in the previous year,” Vachani said.

Officials estimate the overall growth rate in exports of electronics and software and services to the Middle East to be 154 per cent in 2008-09.

Dubai’s geographical location in the Middle East, its proximity to India and Central Asia, and its easy access to Europe make the emirate “the location of choice” for many businesses, Vachani said.

“A number of Indian companies, therefore, find Dubai an ideal location for enhancing their businesses.”

· issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com