Describing India as one of the key emerging markets in South Asia, Hitachi Data Systems on Tuesday said it would set up a wholly-owned subsidiary in the country in 2004 to strengthen its operations.

"We are getting good response from India and it is one of the 'Super Focus' countries for us along with Brazil and China," P P Subramanian, country manager Hitachi Data Systems India told newspersons.

The company, which generated a revenue of $15 million last year, is expecting a revenue growth of 45 per cent in 2003, he said.

The company also appointed Ingram Micro as its national distributor along with 60 channel partners.

Hitachi Ltd, the Japanese parent of Hitachi Data Systems has earmarked $500 million towards R&D and technology worldwide and a substantial portion of that investment is likely to come to the three "Super Focus' countries -- India, China and Brazil.

India contributed 20 per cent of the South Asia revenue last year, he said.

Renewing its thrust on the Indian market, the company has identified four areas of growth -- global solutions and services, storage software, SMEs and Network Attached Storage.