indiamarkets: What do you feel about EXCON 2000?
Nicklasson: Well, it is an excellent exhibition; I’m not a technician, so I cannot judge from a commercial point of view, but what I see is very interesting. There were a lot of foreign companies participating and many Indian companies who were competing with them. Looking at the expected construction boom in India, the exhibition is timely.

indiamarkets: How does EXCON compare with other exhibitions held in Europe?
Nicklasson: I have seen construction exhibitions in Sweden, Belgium and Holland. Perhaps this one is a bit smaller than those held in Europe, but I'm sure in the years to come it will grow in prominence, attracting more exhibitors and visitors.

indiamarkets: Can you briefly describe the trade between Sweden and India?
Nicklasson: The total export from Sweden to India is about one-and-a-half billion Swedish krones per year. Imports are also the same from India. Sweden exports mainly industrial equipment and imports, like India, mainly products like textiles and different raw material. Swedish companies like Ericsson, ABB, Svedala, Volvo and others like TetraPack have invested in and believe heavily in the future market in India.

indiamarkets: In the days to come, in which areas do you find better co-operation taking place between both the countries?
Nicklasson: One area, very obviously, is that Sweden is one of the most advanced countries in IT. India also has many credits in the software segment. We see great synergies, more co-operation in this area between both the countries. Some companies like Wipro, Infosys, HCL and others already have development centres in Stockholm. Some Swedish companies are outsourcing to Indian software companies. Much is happening on this front. Both countries have a great future in this area.

indiamarkets: You are strong in the cellular market and construction equipment area. What kind of co-operation do you see in this area?
Nicklasson: Companies like Volvo, Svedala have set up their centres here. As for the mobile market, India is looking at developing software. This is being done in co-operation with Ericsson’s development centre in Bangalore.

indiamarkets: With the internet boom, how is the Net being used for doing business in Europe?
Nicklasson: I am not an expert in this area. But from the papers and other information, we know e-commerce is booming in Western Europe and US as well. It is doing well in the developed nations. It has some defects _ there was a shake-up of companies. It is going to be a very interesting concept, once the developing countries also start using e-commerce. Companies will find it easier to find out prices of products in their own countries and elsewhere.

For instance, people selling potatoes in a particular village suddenly found they could go to the nearest town and get a price 30-40 per cent higher. This happened because they clicked on the Net and found the right market.

The Internet will have a profound influence on the way business is done – both in developed and developing countries.

indiamarkets: What are your comments on the Indian construction industry?
Nicklasson: It seems to be a very vibrant and upcoming sector. The equipment industry seems to be very innovative and very keen to develop their market. They are now more quality and customer-oriented and are very aggressive also.
 

The interviewer can be contacted at pradeep@indiamarkets.com