The agreement was signed here on Wednesday by United Airlines' senior vice-president Bruce Parker and TCG chairman Purnendu Chatterjee in presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu.

This is the first joint venture of United Airlines in the area of software and its first major software development effort outside the United States. TCG, whose investment focus is on technology, communications and infotech services with IT and telecommunications investments in North America, Eurpoe, Israel and China, is also a major partner in the Rs 5,170-crore Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd located in West Bengal.

Addressing a joint press conference, Chatterjee said the software development centre will be located in Chatterjee Group's most sophisticated information technologyfacility at Salt Lake City on the eastern fringe of Calcutta.

SkyTech will begin with more than 50 professionals on day one and employ 200 more in a span of two years depending upon the growth of its business. "It will open up new carrier opportunities for the Indian software professionals and will give them an opportunity to develop new skill sets," Chatterjee said and added that "it will produce real experts, not techno-coolies."

Calcutta will be the fifth development centre associated with Chicago-based United Airlines. Its other four development centres are located in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Denver -- all in the USA.

United Airlines employs over 95,000 people, spans five continents, 28 countries and provides service to 102 domestic and 37 international airports around the world. Each day United Airlines carries about 238,000 passengers in 2,274 flights.

Chatterjee, a non-resident Indian, said: "We are proud to be partnering with such a prominent company. We are also pleased thatthey have chosen India for its truly untapped potential for high technology development. Information technology is a significant growth opportunity for India and we hope a joint venture like this helps the Indian IT industry to capture a significant share of the global market."

Bruce Parker said technology innovations of his company are changing the way travellers fly. The airline has led the way form the E-ticket product to its ground-breaking United Connection software for the PC and the World Wide Web. The company invests $500 million a year for IT development.

United Connection is the most comprehensive travel product on the market today, allowing travellers to reserve and purchase tickets on more than 500 airlines worldwide and book rooms at 30,000 hotels, giving passengers an option to search 4,800 flights for lowest fares.

Parker believes that SkyTech will be able to earn profit from the first day of its operations. Asked why TCG has been chosen for the joint venture partner, he said: "We haveworked with TCG Software Services for over two years in software development and maintenance and found them to be very professional and credible organisation. With this joint venture we expect to make a significant contribution to United's ability to serve its customers better."