An Israeli IT official said that Israeli IT firms will also partner with Indian vendors for the joint bidding of the unique identification (ID) card project of the Indian government.
Melamed, who is leading an Israeli IT delegation on the week-long trip to India, said that many Israeli firms have developed the technology and solutions for e-governance projects like ID cards with security features such as biometric or fingerprints.
The trip is sponsored by the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute (IEICI) and funded by the Israeli government.
The government-funded project, to be implemented by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) under the chairmanship of former Infosys Technologies co-chairman Nandan M. Nilekani, is expected to create unique identification cards to all citizens by 2011.
The 14-member delegation, representing large, medium and small IT firms are scouting for partnerships with Indian counterparts to develop or customise software products or solutions for Indian and global markets.
The delegation is looking for partnerships in digital broadcast media, legacy IT modernisation solutions, homeland security and e-governance.
With about 3,000 indigenous IT firms, spanning hardware and software, the Israeli hi-tech industry has grown exponentially with exports alone accounting for $5.8 billion in 2008 as against $90 million in 1990.
As part of its 'Look Asia Policy' the Israeli government has decided to expand industry and trade ties with India in diverse sectors, including drip irrigation, agro-technology, water conservation, IT, telecom and homeland security.
The non-profit IEICI, supported by the Israeli government and the private sector, facilitates business ties, joint ventures and strategic alliances between overseas and Israeli firms.
