OREANDA-NEWS. February 10, 2012. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), a leading IT services, consulting and business solutions organisation, announced that the Greater Paris Investment Agency (GPIA) had conferred on TCS the “Prix special de l'innovation de Paris-Ile de France Capitale Economique 2011” (Special Innovation Prize 2011 of Paris, the economic capital of the Ile-De France region).

Valerie Pecresse, cabinet minister for budget, public accounts and state reform, Republic of France, presented the award at an exclusive ceremony on February 9, 2012, along with Daniel Canepa, prefect, Ile-de-France region, and in the presence of Rakesh Sood, ambassador of India to France.

Chiara Corazza, managing director, GPIA, said, “TCS and Tata Communications are prime examples of global businesses that have embraced the growth opportunities offered by Greater Paris. The region has a total GDP of €585 billion and a highly diversified economy with strongholds in aeronautics, automobile and IT industries, so we’re confident that TCS and Tata Communications will continue to reap the benefits of investing in the region, and that many more global businesses will follow their lead.”

TCS has been operating in France since 1992, with over 1,000 consultants currently working for 35 French customers, including several leading CAC 40 businesses. In 2006, TCS made a major investment in France and Switzerland by acquiring a local IT company TKS Teknosoft for over €70 million. Over the last five years, TCS has significantly strengthened its local presence in France by hiring local nationals to augment its front office functions — sales, operations and client management teams in the country. Earlier this week, TCS announced that it has been chosen as the strategic IT development partner for France-based Europcar, the continent’s leading car rental firm.

Surya Kant, president, TCS, added, “Expanding our operations in France is a central element of our global growth strategy. The Greater Paris region has served as an excellent base of operations for us towards this purpose. We are pleased with this recognition of our innovative technology services that are making French businesses even more competitive. We are continuing to invest in our local operations in France and across Europe, to be nearer to our clients and serve them better.”