03-05-2004, 07:49 PM
Azim Premjiâs Pak Journey Wonât Have IT In The Bag
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Wipro wants to go to Pakistan, but without hawking its high-end IT products. A company source told FE that the Indian MNC will focus on hydraulics, medical systems and consumer goods instead. The strategy on hardware could not be ascertained.
The plan somewhat resembles chairman Azim Premjiâs moves in China. Mr Premji famously limited his spread there even as rivals powered ahead citing business realities. His conservatism on China is changing now and Mr Premji has told top aides that Wipro must ramp up its operations in the Middle Kingdom. On why Mr Premji is being selective about what heâll share with Pakistan, the source echoed how his boss felt. âWe canât be pissing in our soup bowl, can we!â
This wonât stop Mr Premji from deploying marketing muscle in Pakistan in the remaining areas of his interest. Islamabad has JP Morgan to thank for that. The Wipro chairman has taken detailed briefings with Morgan analysts who are knowledgeable on Pakistan and he emerged convinced that growth rates there are extremely attractive and sustainable too.
Mr Premji is clear that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is doing the right thing by engaging Pakistan in a sincere dialogue. A Wipro strategist said Mr Premji sees âbusiness interestsâ ultimately driving the relationship between the two South Asian neighbours. âThe more we trade, the better.â
Also, Mr Premji believes that companies with the first-mover advantage would serve the twin causes of regional peace and shareholder interest. An Ismaili Muslim himself, heâs of the view that all this will have a positive influence on Indiaâs Muslims as well and if peace gets a chance India can save nearly 1 per cent of its GDP and Pakistan around 2.5 per cent. âThis can be ploughed back for infrastructure and improving social indicators like health and education.â
The Stanford engineer holds more than 80 per cent of Wiproâs stock, making him one of the richest men in the world. His technology operations, which include customers like Microsoft, Sony and Nokia, are headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Staff strength is over 23,000.
Despite recent acquisitions in high-end businesses like the energy practice of American Management Systems and financial services firm Nerve Wire Inc, Mr Premji continues to own non-IT businesses including cooking oil.
He believes that this strategy keeps the Wipro brand in the public eye and doesnât require much of his time anyway. The acronym Wipro came from the family businessâs original name, Western India Vegetable Products Ltd.
Meanwhile, there is a debate going on within government and industry whether India should empower Pakistan with IT prowess.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Wipro wants to go to Pakistan, but without hawking its high-end IT products. A company source told FE that the Indian MNC will focus on hydraulics, medical systems and consumer goods instead. The strategy on hardware could not be ascertained.
The plan somewhat resembles chairman Azim Premjiâs moves in China. Mr Premji famously limited his spread there even as rivals powered ahead citing business realities. His conservatism on China is changing now and Mr Premji has told top aides that Wipro must ramp up its operations in the Middle Kingdom. On why Mr Premji is being selective about what heâll share with Pakistan, the source echoed how his boss felt. âWe canât be pissing in our soup bowl, can we!â
This wonât stop Mr Premji from deploying marketing muscle in Pakistan in the remaining areas of his interest. Islamabad has JP Morgan to thank for that. The Wipro chairman has taken detailed briefings with Morgan analysts who are knowledgeable on Pakistan and he emerged convinced that growth rates there are extremely attractive and sustainable too.
Mr Premji is clear that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is doing the right thing by engaging Pakistan in a sincere dialogue. A Wipro strategist said Mr Premji sees âbusiness interestsâ ultimately driving the relationship between the two South Asian neighbours. âThe more we trade, the better.â
Also, Mr Premji believes that companies with the first-mover advantage would serve the twin causes of regional peace and shareholder interest. An Ismaili Muslim himself, heâs of the view that all this will have a positive influence on Indiaâs Muslims as well and if peace gets a chance India can save nearly 1 per cent of its GDP and Pakistan around 2.5 per cent. âThis can be ploughed back for infrastructure and improving social indicators like health and education.â
The Stanford engineer holds more than 80 per cent of Wiproâs stock, making him one of the richest men in the world. His technology operations, which include customers like Microsoft, Sony and Nokia, are headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Staff strength is over 23,000.
Despite recent acquisitions in high-end businesses like the energy practice of American Management Systems and financial services firm Nerve Wire Inc, Mr Premji continues to own non-IT businesses including cooking oil.
He believes that this strategy keeps the Wipro brand in the public eye and doesnât require much of his time anyway. The acronym Wipro came from the family businessâs original name, Western India Vegetable Products Ltd.
Meanwhile, there is a debate going on within government and industry whether India should empower Pakistan with IT prowess.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->