Presenting some key statistics on Britain at `Think Britain 'software seminar here on Thursday, British deputy high commissioner Micheal Bates said that the companies with expertise and skills in outsourcing and implementation had major opportunities there. The seminar was organised to increase awareness among Indian companies on these fronts.

"Outsourcing is required for big companies like Logica, Bull and IBM and direct outsourcing for government departments like income tax. British financial and banking companies are some of the largest spenders in Y2K related activities. We are looking at a market of $8.5 billion by 2002," Bates revealed. The computing services and software demand is expected to touch $28 billion 2002.