Policy Communication Seminar

From Underdogs to Tigers: The software industry in emerging economies

Talk by Ashish Arora

November 28, 2006; 1:30-3:00 p.m.
IMF HQ1-2-530
720 19th Street NW, Washington, DC

Open to Fund/Bank Staff and the Public

[transcript will be posted after the event]

Does nurturing the software industry offer a new path of economic development for emerging economies? Several of them developed sizable software industries over the 1990s. These include the 3Is (India, Ireland and Israel), Brazil and China. This talk will describe what we know about the software sector in these five economies and the factors common to successful software exporting regions. The talk will also offer new insights into reasons for the success of the Indian software sector and what lessons can be drawn from the Indian experience for other countries.

A roundtable discussion will follow the talk.

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Ashish Arora, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University, has published pioneering studies of the Indian software industry. He is the editor of From Underdogs to Tigers: The Rise and Growth of the Software Industry in Brazil, China, India, Ireland and Israel, Oxford University Press, 2005. He has a Ph.D in economics from Stanford University.

Please note that due to enhanced security arrangements:
  1. An RSVP is required: EXRPOLICYCOM@imf.org or (202) 623 9430.
  2. Guests please present a photo identification and use the IMF Center entrance at 720 19th St. N.W. Washington DC (at the white tent). Only IMF/World Bank staff should enter through the main 700 19th St. entrance.