Gates feels Russia does not measure up to India in software

Mumbai: Microsoft founder and chairman Bill Gates has cautioned Russia against competing with India in the software business saying that its high cost production may make it lose out if pitted against low-cost Indian businesses where labour costs are much lower. Gates, who is on a visit to Russia, met top officials of the ministry of economic development and trade and had a series of meetings with the country's software developers.

He warned Russian programmers against competing with their low-cost Indian counterparts, Yuri Ammosov, a top government official was quoted as saying by business daily Vedomosti.

The Microsoft chief also had a meeting with President Vladimir Putin's likely heir and first deputy prime minister Dmitry Medvedyev.

The Russian visit is aimed at gathering direct information about the nation's innovations in the field of science, education and economy, Microsoft sources in Moscow said.

Gates considers Russia as a very large market along with India and China and is interested in promoting Microsoft products, deputy minister of economic development and trade Andrei Sharonov said.