The regional director of the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, BG Roy, said the site will also help German companies that are looking for hi-tech talent from India. The German government is using the chamber in its drive to attract talent from abroad.

The potal is www.arbeitsamt.de, aimed at Indian IT companies interested in forming joint ventures with German counterparts or willing to export manpower as well as for individual aspirants. The German government has also opened one e-mail account for correspondence - bonnzav.it-experts@arbeitsamt.de. Meanwhile, the formal guidelines pertaining to the issue of green cards to overseas professionals are expected to be in place by August. This is because the regulation on residence permits for foreigners requires approval by the Bundesrat or Federal Council, where it will be dealt with on July 14. Individuals looking for information and communication technology jobs in Germany must have relevant higher education qualification.

If they do not have the relevant qualification, they can obtain a work permit if, on the basis of their outstanding specialist knowledge, they are guaranteed an annual salary of at least DM 100,000 (Rs 20 lakh) by their prospective employer.

The income cutoff has already spread confusion and dissatisfaction among IT professionals. Reacting to this, Indo-German Chamber's Roy admitted that complaints have come in. "Professionals as well as I-T cmpanies have complained about the DM 100,000 norm, which they feel is too high by Indian standards. We, as a facilitator, will take the issue to the German embassy." The chamber is thinking of urging the German government to focus on forming joint ventures rather than recruiting individuals directly. It should be a deal between German IT companies and Indian IT companies to work offshore and onshore as the norms related to forming joint ventures in Germany are not at all stringent. For starting a joint venture private limited company, one has to invest only DM 50,000, i.e Rs 10 lakh, said Roy.