National Association of Software and Service Companies has tied up with the Dutch Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries to enable small and medium businesses in Europe to outsource work to India.

"The two organisations will work closely to provide business process outsourcing expertise to European SMEs and help selected Indian IT companies to access European markets," a release issued by Nasscom said.

As per the terms of agreement, Nasscom will be responsible for the practical organisation of the CPI programme in India. It will be responsible for selecting promising Indian suppliers to be trained and assisted by the CPI in exporting to Europe.

In addition to training exporters in India, South Africa and the Philippines, the CPI will also actively work the European market, helping SMEs recognise the advantages of business process outsourcing and assisting them in finding Indian partners, who understand their needs and market requirements.

"We are pleased on the collaboration with the CPI to promote business activities between two regions. We aim to achieve the success of the IT and BPO sectors to drip down from the major industrial cities to smaller cities that will benefit the industries and economies of Europe and India," Nasscom President Kiran Karnik said.

"Indian entrepreneurs can count on us to provide maximum

assistance exporting to Europe. It's a double-edged sword from

which all parties will benefit," Ton Lansink, CPI managing director said.