Malaysia can benefit from India's offensive to boost software exports

Though the roadshow was intended to boost exports to the United States and, particularly, to the east coast, Malaysia also cropped up in the discussions on the sidelines of the event.

Some invited businessmen were looking for opportunities to collaborate with other potential supplying nations such as Malaysia, the Philippines and others.

"I know for a fact that the Malaysian government has built up an impressive infrastructure to bolster its IT sector.

"Some years back, I visited Kuala Lumpur and was quite impressed. If Malaysia can cooperate with Indian IT companies, the synergies would benefit both sides," said Arvind Patel, a New Jersey-based Indian entrepreneur who has built up connections with companies in South East Asia.

Though Indiasoft is a small but highly specialised show, aimed at giving impetus to small-sized businesses, over 500 company representatives are expected from around the world, including South East Asia, to not only buy but also identify Indian SMEs who can do sub-contracting business.

"It is easy for big companies to identify suppliers in India because of their resources but small companies are not able to do so.

"This is where the show becomes an invaluable vehicle for establishing contacts," said Indiasoft chairman Nalin Kohli.

There will be around 150 Indian IT companies displaying their innovations including software development, software product, embedded systems, information security, web and mobile marketing.

He urged participants to utilise the opportunity to establish linkages with small and medium enterprises of India.

India's software exports are still US-centric, accounting for 58 percent of the country’s global exports.

Malaysian software suppliers, eager to enter the highly-competitive but very lucrative US market could benefit from taking cues from India’s strategic approach to tapping this huge market.