Nasscom partners Russia counterpart for IT solutions in India, Africa, West Asia

National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) has partnered Russian counterpart Russoft to offer solutions in smart cities, urban transport, unmanned airplanes, artificial intelligence, blockchain and virtual reality, in the regions of India, Africa and West Asia, The Economic Times reported.

“Russoft, with its more than 130 members, is keen to form joint ventures with Indian counterparts,” Russoft president Valentin Makarov said in the report.

Makarov added that since both the countries are working in several areas such as civil nuclear energy and hydrocarbon in Bangladesh and Vietnam, the nations will make for natural partners in joint ventures. “Russoft is also present in a big way in Western Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States,” he said in the report, adding that the US was also a big market for Russoft.

The report also said that Russoft was a big player in the Netherlands. “Quantum communication is also emerging as an important area for telemedicine and power sector. Indian and Russian information technology giants can also collaborate in this sector,” he said, adding that Russoft was looking at working with the government.

Last year, Nasscom had partnered Facebook to support social-impact startups with a six-month programme titled Code for the Next Billion.

As part of the programme, 10 social-impact startups would be mentored. The selected startups would be provided with technical, marketing and financial mentoring as well as leadership skills, Nasscom said in a statement.

The programme would promote social-impact startups building mobile applications for new-to-internet or bottom-of-the-pyramid users. It aims to accelerate development and adoption of mobile internet apps across India.

In October, the second edition of Code for the Next Billion was launched.