Global IT major announces strategic alliance with Emirates Consulting Group to develop National resources
Dubai, March 1, 2005: In a bid to develop regional information and technology skills, leading global consulting and IT services company, Satyam Computer Services Ltd, (NYSE: SAY), has embarked on a programme to localise the Satyam team in the Middle East, with extensive regional recruitments and a strategic partnership with Dubai-based Emirates Consulting Group, a member company of The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders.
Under the agreement, Satyam, a leader in the area of Enterprise Business Solutions, will provide real-time support for projects executed by the Emirates Consulting Group (ECG), with the aim of improving the local and regional IT talent pool.
Besides taking responsibility for cost and delivery, Satyam will manage the 360-degree implementation of the projects. Rated at SEI CMM level 5, the highest quality standard for IT services companies, Satyam offers an array of solutions customised for different industry sectors, and a bouquet of services from strategy consulting to implementation.
The alliance would entail a healthy blend of Arabic resources, which Satyam plans to invest in along with resources from ECG. As a first step, Satyam has already brought on board Arab nationals from various countries for existing projects.
In another related recent development, auditors from BVQI (UK) were particularly impressed with Satyam management's commitment to Information Security, the 'world-class' awareness campaigns, and the level of maturity of ISMS & BCMS, which resulted in Satyam being re-certified for BS- 7799 Standards and the continuation of ISO certification 9001.
"A country's real growth and progress is measured by the skills and capacity of its workforce. We recognise the potential in this region and believe we have a responsibility to develop local talent. One of our priorities is to initiate and support programmes that enable youngsters to realise their potential in environments that encourage maximum development.
"The knowledge transfer programme with ECG announced today will involve classroom training and on-the-job training on processes and methodologies followed by Satyam," said B. Rama Raju, Managing Director, Satyam Computer Services Ltd.
"The lack of investment in information and technology (ICT) skills is holding back the Arab world. ICT expenditure averages 8.3 per cent of GDP in North Africa, 8 per cent in Europe and just 4 per cent in Arab countries, according to a recent Booz Allen Hamilton report. Local talent is required to develop this sector that in turn will contribute to the creation of new industries. By partnering with ECG, we will facilitate knowledge transfer to the region to build local expertise in ICT," Raju added.
Commenting on the partnership, Mohammed Al Ali, CEO of Emirates Consulting Group, said: "We are delighted to be associated with Satyam. With their IT expertise, this partnership will lead to an enhancement of employment opportunities for Nationals and the successful delivery of IT projects in the region."
Emirates Consulting Group, founded under The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for young business leaders in 2002, has grown into a leading regional business process, outsourcing, consulting, and technology provider. The company's portfolio includes sales solutions services, contact centre services, marketing solutions services and IT solutions.
Satyam has a leading regional presence and focuses on all verticals that include oil and gas, telecom, banking and insurance, government and retail. Key Satyam clients in the Middle East include Etisalat; Emirates Airlines; Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Authority; Kuwait National Petroleum; Oman Trading Establishment, Oman; Qatar Petrochemical Company Ltd, and Qatar Telecom.
Worldwide, Satyam serves over 370 global companies, including 139 Fortune Global 500 and Fortune US 500 corporations, and is widely considered to have pioneered the offshore IT services model.
Ajith Menon, Satyam's Head of Middle East and Africa Operations, said: "The Middle East is a critical component of Satyam's global expansion strategy, as it is a rapidly growing IT services market. We have achieved 75 per cent growth in the region and are targeting similar growth figures in 2005. To drive regional investment, we are opening a fourth regional office in Saudi Arabia and developing Dubai as our key base.
"This partnership with ECG will strengthen our regional commitment and provide valuable insights into the needs of our customers."
A market leader in enterprise resource planning (ERP), Satyam expects strong demand for ERP solutions from the energy, government and service sectors, and software investment from Qatar and Saudi Arabia to be the key areas of growth in the next 12 months.
-Ends-
About Satyam:
Satyam Computer Services Ltd. (NYSE: SAY) is a global IT consulting and services provider, offering a range of expertise aimed at helping customers re-engineer and re-invent their businesses to compete successfully in an ever-changing marketplace. Over 17,600 highly skilled professionals in Satyam work onsite, offsite, offshore and near shore, to provide customised IT solutions for companies in several industry sectors. Satyam's ideas and products have resulted in technology-intensive transformations that have met the most stringent of international quality standards. Satyam Development Centres in India, the USA, the UK, the UAE, Canada, Hungary, Malaysia, Singapore, China, Japan and Australia serve over 370 global companies, of which 139 are Fortune Global 500 and Fortune US 500 corporations. Satyam's presence spans 46 countries, across six continents.
Satyam in the Middle East:
Satyam's MEA regional headquarters in Dubai Internet City is responsible for operations in the Middle East, Mauritius and African Territories; it actively covers GCC, Levant and Africa. Satyam's Middle East operations currently comprise over 100 employees and a customer base of over 150 high profile customers. For more information visit us at: www.satyam.com
The Dubai-based Emirates Consulting Group (ECG) was founded with the support and recognition of one of the world's most effective and innovative national programmes - The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for young business leaders. Since its inception in November 2002, and the leadership of CEO, Mohamed Al Ali, ECG has fast grown into a leading regional business process, outsourcing, consulting, and technology provider, winning the Best IT Business Award for 2004. ECG is a non-traditional interactive consulting group that provides clients with best-of-breed technology, combined with highly experienced consultants to deliver information technology in a user-friendly manner. The company's portfolio includes sales solutions services, contact centre services, marketing solutions services and IT solutions. For more information, please visit www.ecg.ae
For clarifications write to us at Corporate_Communications@Satyam.com
You can contact our local PR representatives at:
Lamya Kolthoum Senior Manager Marketing & Alliances Satyam Computer Services Ltd. Tel: +9714-3911216 Fax: +9714-3911713 Email: lamya_kolthoum@satyam.com | Shilpa Mathai / Rana Bechara Polaris Public Relations Dubai, UAE Tel: +9714-3348522 Fax: +9714-3341326 Email: s.mathai@polaris-me.com Email: r.bechara@polairs-me.com |
Or contact our global PR representatives at:
India | Rajesh, rajesh@perfectrelations.com, +91 40 55319862, +91 98490 42184 |
Europe | Priti Thakker, priti_thakker@satyam.com, +1 973 753 1858, +1 973 997 1149 |
US | Ivette Almeida, Ivette.almeida@annemcbride.com, +1 212 983 1702 ext 209, |
Asia- Pacific | Norkiah Natassia Noor, norkiah@wer1.net, +65 6737 4844, +65 9735 9439 |
Safe Harbour:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of Securities Act of 1933, as amended and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Satyam undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements.
For a discussion of the risks associated with our business, please see the discussions under the heading "Risk Factors" in our report on Form 6K concerning the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2004 furnished to the United States Securities Exchange Commission on February 14, 2005 and the other reports filed with the Securities Exchange Commission from time to time. These filings are available at www.sec.gov
© Press Release 2005
