TCS forms majority partner in JV with Microsoft in China

Mumbai: Tata Consultancy Services will set up a majority joint venture with global software leader, Microsoft, in China to provide services to global companies and the local Chinese market.

TCS, India''s top software exporter, will hold a majority stake in the venture, with Microsoft, China''s Uniware and two Chinese software parks being minority shareholders in the joint venture to be located in Beijing''s Zhongguancun Software Park. The venture will commence operation in early 2006.

"The key objective of this global initiative is to build the new venture as a role model for the growing Chinese software industry," TCS announced in a statement. China''s exports in software and back-office services total less than one-fifth of India''s $17.2 billion.

Tata already operates in China through a subsidiary with 250 employees set up in 2002.