Delegates from Sunderland Software City, the technology research hub based in the North East of England will be in India during mid March 2010 to attract investments to North East England from Indian IT SMEs planning expansion to Europe The delegates from the Sunderland Software City are expected to visit Kerala, Chennai and Bangalore to meet the prospective investors and will hold an exclusive seminar on growth opportunities in Bangalore for the IT SMEs on March 16, 2010.

Sunderland Software City, one of North East England?s technology hub is designed to inspire and encourage the growth of the software industry. One of the key initiatives devised by One North East and Sunderland Software City is the Soft Landing Programme specifically created to meet the requirements of international software companies exploring a UK and European presence. The programme only one of its kind in UK includes an end-to-end support services such as allocation of the office space at a subsidized rent in Sunderland Software City with access to world class facilities and connectivity and intensive support for companies Business Development and marketing and recruitment activity. Additionally, the programme also offers a range of professional services such as Subsidiary or Branch office registration, Tax and Accounting procedure advice, HR, legal and Accountancy to expedite the operational processes. An investor can also choose to be a member of any regional or national network group for business contacts at a subsidised subscription fee.

The seminar in Bangalore to be held on 16th March 2010 in Hotel Atria will focus on investment opportunities for SME companies in the ICT industry. Companies expected to attend includes BPOs, animation and gaming companies, product development companies, software firms, and e-commerce companies.

According to Mr. Bernie Callaghan, CEO, Sunderland Software City, ?With a regional economy of ?38.8bn, North East England has established an international reputation for innovation. And when it comes to business, over 500 leading international companies, including 40% of Dow Jones listed businesses have made the region their home. In fact, in 2007 the region ranked among the top five performing regions for foreign direct investment?.

?The latest Indian company to start operations in North East England is Fifth Generation Technologies, also known as 5G, a software solutions provider. As a Business Intelligence firm, 5G plans to tap the vast potential offered by the European market in the field of retail, manufacturing, sports and energy in the utility sector. 5G also received a grant of ?200,000 from One North East to set up their new research based facility in the region? Mr. Bernie Callaghan added.

Mr. Ben Fisher, Investment and Aftercare Senior Specialist Advisor, One North East, the regional development agency for North East England, said, ?One North East can provide a service for companies to make good business decisions as quickly and efficiently as possible and we feel that our experience over the years has allowed us to do that successfully with companies. We work closely with firms to develop the business model, we put them in touch with the right people, we analyze the supply chain for them, we can undertake skills research for them and put them in contact with other companies in the region and the wider UK with whom they can do business.?

Over half the Indian companies that have invested in North East England have expanded in the last six years. Research shows 55% of Indian investments in the region since 2003 have gone on to complete expansion projects after basing their operations here. There are 15 Indian companies in North East England currently including businesses such as Shasun, Motherson Sumi Systems Limited., Piramal Healthcare and Tech Mahindra, and employ over 1500 people in the region. The region is already home to leading digital firms including Sage, Leighton Group, Euthechnyx and Mere Mortals.