07 February 2004	Saturday	15 Zilhaj 1424

BANGALORE, Feb 6: A group of Pakistani software entrepreneurs on Friday visited India's technology hub to see for themselves how this country has become a favoured destination for Western outsourcing contracts.

"We are looking to India to take the lead in the South Asian region to develop this industry," Nadeem Aslam Malik, secretary of the Pakistan Software Houses Association, said after his six-person team visited several software firms in Bangalore, India's technology hub.

He said cooperation with India would help Pakistan boost outsourcing revenue from developed nations, which send software development and back-office operations to low-wage countries like India to save money.

Pakistani companies are eager to set up joint ventures and other partnerships with Indian firms, he said. For decades, hostile relations between India and Pakistan and stiff visa restrictions on both sides prevented businessmen from collaborating or setting up joint ventures.

Friday's visit came in the wake of renewed peace efforts by India and Pakistan. -APP