Mumbai: Wal-Mart Stores Inc has announced that it would increase technology activities in India, as it seeks to expand its remote sourcing model.

According to a statement by the company, it will work with a number of technology firms in India to support its global operations. In August 2007, Wal-Mart set up a joint venture with India's Bharti Enterprises for rolling out wholesale cash-and-carry operations in the country.

The statement quoted vice chairman Michael Duke as saying, "As we deepen our relationship with India it only made sense that we take advantage of the 24-hour development cycle that India offers.''

Reports in the media quoted Duke as saying, ''As we've studied the existing supply chain infrastructure in India we have been amazed by what we have learned. It's a system that works. Yet, there is a need for increased efficiencies that can help minimize wastage, particularly of fresh foods and vegetables. Our goal is to work with India's existing supply chain infrastructure and improve efficiency to minimize wastage and maximize value for farmers and manufacturers as well as retailers. We can help cut the waste, not the middlemen who can play a very important part in the entire supply chain.''

The statement also said that India was one of several countries that Wal-Mart is looking at in its plans to implement a remote sourcing model for IT activities.

Wal-Mart has previously sourced some IT applications from a few Indian technology companies over the last year. The statement also quoted Wal-Mart Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer Rollin Ford as saying, "We expect India to clearly be a key strategic partner in this area, given its impressive IT capability."

Duke and Ford, according to the statement, are in India for a "routine business visit", and to get a first-hand understanding of the progress of the venture with Bharti.

The joint venture with Bharti is expected to open between 10 and 15 wholesale cash-and-carry facilities, and will employ an estimated 5,000 people over the coming seven years. Each facility would cover around 50,000 to 100,000 square feet area, and would market a range of groceries, footwear, produce, clothing and consumer durables to retailers, manufacturers, and farmers.

Wal-Mart is looking at its international operations to hedge against dropping sales in its domestic market in the US.

The venture is expected to open 10 to 15 wholesale cash-and-carry facilities and employ around 5,000 people over the next seven years. A typical facility will stand between 50,000 and 100,000 square feet and sell a wide range of fruits and vegetables, groceries and staples, stationery, footwear, clothing, consumer durables and other general merchandise items to retailers, or the neighbourhood 'kirana stores'.