Voices

``India and Japan should develop a complementary relationship in the IT sector and work together as partners so that we can contribute to the world. World attention is focussed on India and its abundant pool of competent engineers and experts in the IT field.'' -- Mr. Yoshiro Mori, Prime Minister of Japan.

``Japan accounts for 10 per cent of Wipro's total exports of $2,540 millions. Wipro's business to Japan will double every year.'' -- Mr. Azim. H. Premji, Chairman, Wipro.

``Fiscal 2000-01 will not be as aggressive as last year as low tea prices will hit profits. We will probably see the turnaround moving into the next fiscal itself. Tea is an agro-product with its own cycle.'' -- Mr. Percy Siganporia, Executive Director, Tata Tea.

``I have set up stores in difficult locations such as Chennai and we have got a good fix on the business. We are going places in the next two years.'' -- Ms. Simone Tata, Chairperson, Trent.

``Though the rise in global crude prices is a matter of concern, it is unlikely to put any major pressure on the country's foreign exchange reserves. There is also the question of a balance of payments crisis.'' -- Mr. Yashwant Sinha, Finance Minister.

``For the Sensex futures to be globally successful, it is necessary that the derivative product is approved by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), US.'' -- Mr. Manoj Vaish, Chief Executive, BSE derivatives segment.

``We do want a strong rupee and the software exporters are not going to benefit in a big way from its depreciation. The RBI has not consulted the industry before taking the decision on holdings balances in foreign currency. It is arbitrary and unnecessary.'' -- Mr. Dewang Mehta, Chairman, National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM).

``SEBI will look at introducing rolling settlement in specified shares once the necessary software changes/development are in place by November.'' -- Mr. Pratip Kar, Senior Executive Director, Securities and Exchange Board of India.