They said Bangladeshi SMEs, which are opting to grow at a brisk pace and increase efficiency through automation, will require such sophisticated business solutions as the SAP offers.

They were speaking at the inaugural session of a three-day SAP Summit '07 at The Grand Hyatt in Mumbai.

Around 2000 representatives of customers, partners and media, and industry experts and analysts participated in the session.

The speakers said Bangladesh's emerging textile and readymade garments, pharmaceuticals, leather and shrimp sectors can be benefited considerably by adopting SAP business solutions.

President and CEO (Indian Subcontinent) of the company Alan Sedgh said opportunities for the subcontinent's business today are boundless--both globally and domestically.

The increased pace of adopting SAP solutions in the subcontinent is a testament to the evolution of SAP, and the company will continue to provide customers with an enhanced portfolio of solutions and industry's best practices, Sedgh added.

On SAP's presence in the SME sector, he said the subcontinent's SMEs are growing at impressive rates year on year, and more than 1000 small and midsize companies in the area have opted for SAP solutions.

More than 38,000 customers of over 120 countries are presently using SAP applications.

SAP software helps enterprises of all sizes around the world improve customer relationships, enhance partnership and better efficiency across their supply chains and business operations.