News Release
ICICI Infotech and Emirates Bank Group to form an Infotech Joint Venture
- Initial equity contribution of US $ 1 million each -
Mumbai, May 30, 2000: ICICI Infotech and Emirates Bank Group today
announced the setting up of Tricolour Infotech International Inc. (T3i),
a Joint Venture IT and e-commerce services company. The venture will offer
comprehensive software development and consulting and IT enabled services.
The new business collaboration provides both companies with a strong foundation
to jointly leverage opportunities in the emerging Middle East markets.
Both companies would equally and jointly hold at least 80 % of the paid-up
capital of the Joint Venture company, with other strategic investors holding
the balance. ICICI Infotech and Emirates Bank Group will make an initial
equity contribution of US $ 1 million each towards meeting the cost of
setting up the joint venture company. The company will have an authorised
share capital of US $ 5 million divided into 5 million equity shares of
US $ 1 each. An equal number of nominees from ICICI Infotech and Emirates
Bank Group will be on the Board of Directors. While Emirates Bank Group
will nominate the Chairman, ICICI Infotech will nominate the Managing
Director and CEO.
The Joint Venture, to be incorporated in Mauritius, will have its first
operational office in the Dubai Internet City, with plans to expand its
business to other locations in the Middle East.
Commenting on the Joint Venture Mr. K. V. Kamath, Managing Director and
CEO, ICICI, said "Emirates Bank Group is a leading financial services
conglomerate in UAE, with interests in Banking, Finance, Investments,
Card Services, Insurance and Real Estate. The Emirates Bank Group's knowledge
of the local market, coupled with ICICI Infotech's IT expertise and experience,
will strongly position this joint venture in the Middle East market."
Mr. Anis Al Jallaf, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
of Emirates Bank Group said, "ICICI is one of the most versatile and innovative
financial institutions in Asia, and is the first Indian company to have
its shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). ICICI Infotech
has considerable domain expertise and software capabilities not only in
the financial sector, but also in the whole realm of transaction-processing
and IT-enabled services. Thus, there exist significant synergies, as both
the Emirates Bank Group & the ICICI Group have tried to apply technology
to enhance customer service and offer an innovative range of products
and services."
Mr. Jallaf mentioned that Dubai Internet City (DIC) has approved allotment
of space to the JV. He also stated that T3i would endeavour to establish
an incubator facility at the Dubai Internet City to encourage young entrepreneurs
and give opportunities to all those having IT ideas that could be nurtured.
Mr. Jallaf also stated that T3i would seek to work with all those in
the region having financial transaction processing and software solution
requirements - be they in insurance, banking or airlines. He noted that
India has clearly demonstrated its capabilities not just in software,
but also in related areas including transaction-processing, call centres
and a whole gamut of other IT-enabled services.
Mr. Suresh Kumar, General Manager, Emirates Financial Services of Emirates
Bank Group mentioned that ICICI Infotech has enabled the ICICI Group to
be at the forefront in terms of Web-based and WAP-driven financial services
in India. He reiterated that T3i was not a 'dot.com company' but one which
would deliver quality software solutions, prompt service and sustained
transactional work and build relationships with all those seeking IT-related
services.
Mr. Srinivasan, MD and CEO, ICICI Infotech, said "The Joint Venture is
committed to meet the business needs of companies in the digital age and
provide them the means to drive beyond tomorrow."
Tricolour Infotech International Inc. will commence operations shortly
and will have dedicated resources and management both in Dubai and India
and will later extend to other parts of the region.
ICICI Infotech Services Limited.
ICICI Infotech Services Limited (ICICI Infotech) is a wholly owned subsidiary
of ICICI Ltd, the first Indian company to be listed on the New York Stock
exchange.
The ICICI Group has always been at the forefront of technology adoption
in India, and has tried to leverage technology by web-enabling and IT-enabling
almost all of its business processes to ensure enhanced customer choice
and convenience. ICICI Infotech was formed in September 1999 by consolidating
the software and other IT personnel from across the ICICI group companies
along with a large number of domain experts. The company today is powered
by an enthusiastic team of 500 skilled personnel. Its existing 85,000-sq.
ft. corporate office is shortly being supplemented with another 80,000-sq.
ft. export-oriented development facility at the Vashi Software Technology
Park.
ICICI Infotech's business operations can be broadly divided into three
distinct areas - end-to-end offerings in software development and consultancy
for the banking and financial services industry, IT services relating
to web-enablement and e-commerce, and IT-enabled services.
The Company's combined expertise in technology and in the financial services
domain has given it the ability to visualize, design and implement large
projects and offer seamless solutions to the financial services industry.
Apart from meeting the technology requirements of the entire ICICI Group,
ICICI Infotech is also reaching out to address the IT needs of other organisations.
The Internet has redefined commerce in the new millennium by offering
global reach, increased penetration and a round-the-clock service proposition.
ICICI Infotech, has been quick to respond by offering various e-commerce
services to help companies adapt to the changing needs of the new economy.
ICICI Infotech has extensive experience in intranet and internet based
applications for the Retail Banking, Treasury, Share Broking and Publishing
industries. It is in the process of utilizing its core expertise in Internet
technology to develop applications for several other industries. Equipped
with state-of-the-art technological infrastructure, ICICI Infotech now
seeks to make forays in the global markets, besides carving out a dominant
position for itself in the domestic market.
With the growing need for a customer-centric approach, middleware has
become a critical component of the technology infrastructure of any company.
In this context, it is necessary to integrate the information that is
spread across business applications. ICICI Infotech has acquired expertise
in such integration services, based on global middleware products of international
companies like TIBCO and BEA Systems.
ICICI Infotech offers various IT Enabled services like Transaction Processing
and Call Centre operations. The Company handles the entire investor servicing
needs of the ICICI group, and over 4 million investor accounts are processed
in a completely paperless environment by using imaging technology and
work flow techniques. The use of web enabled systems have also made it
possible to offer such services at remote centres. As a result of these
IT driven innovations and efficient work processes, ICICI Infotech has
been awarded the ISO 9001 and IQ Net certifications by Standards Australia.
Further information is available on www.icici-infotech.com
EMIRATES BANK GROUP
A Catalyst in the U.A.E. Financial Services Industry
The Emirates Bank Group is a leading financial services conglomerate
in the United Arab Emirates, with interests in Banking, Finance, Investment,
Card Services, Insurance and Real Estate. Emirates Bank Group today comprises
eight diverse companies through which it offers a comprehensive range
of financial services:
Corporate and Retail banking: through its two member Banks - Emirates
Bank International and Middle East Bank, and their network
of 42 branches, spanning the UAE, Pakistan, London and Hong Kong.
Investment banking: through Emirates Financial Services
and Emirates Merchant Bank which focuses on developing the capital
market activities in the UAE, particularly on creating credible, innovative
and a diverse range of products and opportunities for the investors in
the UAE and in the GCC states. EFS has been a pioneer in launching the
first Stock market index (EMNEX), as well as the first domestic mutual
funds that allow participation by international investors.
Property development and management: through Union PropertiesInsurance:
through National General Insurance, in which EBI has a majority
shareholding, and which has the renowned Health Net Insurance Plan amongst
it portfolio of products. which was initially formed in 1986 to manage
EBI properties. To date, it has managed several major projects in Dubai
- including the Mussalla Towers.
Card services: through Network International, which was
established in 1994 as an independent entity, to pave the way for card
services processing and payment technology including co-branding.
Finally, Emirates Bank Group holds the franchise license as the exclusive
issuer and acquirer of Diners Club Cards in the UAE
The Emirates Bank Group has firmly positioned itself in the region through
its involvement in various charitable, cultural, sporting and economic
activities that benefit the local community and ensure its development.
Most notable of these is its participation as a key sponsor for the Dubai
Shopping Festival, the launch of Al Tomooh - the finance scheme for small
(national) businesses, and its organisation of the Emirates International
Forum, which brings together experts, academics, senior government officials
and business leaders to discuss international and regional issues.
In addition, Emirates Bank Group works closely with government agencies
and industry representatives to ensure that the legal and statutory framework
is geared to facilitate industrial growth.
In 1999, the groups total assets stood at USD 5.60 billion, and advances
to customers represented USD 4.05 billion. The Emirates Bank Group posted
a net profit of USD 138 million in 1999.
Further information available at www.emiratesbank.com