New Delhi, Dec 11: Indians were the biggest national group of German green card-holders, securing 4,174 green cards of the total 15,360 green cards granted till October this year, Rajya Sabha was informed today. "Till October 30, 2003 a total of 15,360 green cards have been granted out of which 4,174 were given to Indian nationals, the biggest national group of German green card-holders, Minister of State for Communications and it Su Thirunavukkarasar said in written reply to a question here.

He said German federal cabinet had approved the extension of the "green card initiative" for foreign it specialists till December 31, 2004, and that the new regulation also removed the earlier fixed ceiling of 20,000 work permits. Exports: computer software and services exports stood at 52,100 crore during 2002-03 with US and Canada contributing Rs 30,986.5 crore, he said.

Bureau Report