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US needs Indian, Chinese IT engineers

The US information technology sector needs Indian and Chinese software engineers to fill a massive staffing shortfall, a US venture capitalist said in Bangalore on Friday.

"This year there are more than 1.2 million jobs in the information technology sector on offer in the United States," said Bruce Robertson, investment director with US-based Global Internet Ventures.

"About 600,000 jobs will remain uncovered in this insatiable market," Robertson said.

"There is a global shortage of talent. We are looking at India and China to bridge this."

Global Internet Ventures is a global investment firm specialising in Internet and technological companies.

"We have our focus in India and China and have pumped in about $20 million in eight companies in both countries," Robertson said.

The company has also invested in India's Global Technology Ventures which has stakes in three other IT companies -- MindTree, Arzoo.com and Kshema Technologies.

"We are also into university incubating programmes which gives us the opportunity to deal with young engineers and later fund their ideas," he said.

"In India and China the market is huge and dynamic."