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Softtek, a global provider of IT and business process solutions, announced today that Cyrill Eltschinger, CEO of Softtek China, received the 2007 Great Wall Friendship Award, the People's Government of Beijing Municipality's highest award for foreign experts.

Set up by the Beijing Municipal Government in 1999, the Great Wall Friendship Award is the top honor for foreign experts working in Beijing and is presented annually to those who have contributed to the development of the Chinese capital. Beijing Mayor Guo Jinlong presented the award to Eltschinger at a ceremony held at the Beijing municipal headquarters on the morning of March 4 Beijing time.

In order to qualify for the Great Wall Friendship Award, Eltschinger had to meet a set of strict standards for foreign experts, including "actively introduce new technologies, new management knowledge, and new production skills" and "offer important advice for the advancement of technologies and business in Beijing."

"I'm proud to be recognized as a key contributor to Beijing's commercial development and economic growth. Beijing provides a world-class environment and infrastructure and accounts for the majority of all software exports from China," said Eltschinger. "In this very special Beijing Olympic year, I'm thankful to Mayor Guo Jinlong and the Beijing Municipal Government for their vote of confidence and will continue my relentless efforts to act as a bridge and as an ambassador of Beijing and of Sino-foreign trade and economic relations."

Eltschinger, CEO of Softtek China and Executive VP of Softtek Asia, formerly I.T. UNITED, has spent nearly 15 years in China as a technology and high-tech services industry pioneer. In recent years he has been the leading proponent of China as the world's new global IT outsourcing hub, publishing the industry's first book on the subject, "Source Code China," and promoting China's IT industry at numerous global events and conferences. A citizen of Switzerland, he currently serves as chairman of SwissCham China, an industry expert for the Gerson Lehrman Group Technology Council, and an advisor to several of China's government agencies. He is an avid aviator and was the first foreigner to be awarded a private pilot's license in China since 1949.

Softtek acquired I.T. UNITED in August 2007 and added the eighth Global Delivery Center to its network of centers in Mexico, Brazil and Spain. Softtek has gained a strong reputation in the IT & BPO global sourcing industry though its trademarked Global Nearshore model, which pairs world-class execution with global proximity to fill the gap left by India-centric outsourcing models.

About Softtek:
Founded in 1982, Softtek is a global provider of IT and business process solutions with close to 6,000 associates across 30 offices in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia. With eight Global Delivery Centers in Mexico, Brazil, Spain and China, Softtek provides in-depth, high-quality and cost-effective solutions to top-tier corporations in over 20 countries through on-site, on-shore and its trademarked Global Nearshore(tm) service delivery models. Creator and leader of the Near Shore® Industry, Softtek is the largest private IT service provider in Latin America. With operations in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Xiamen, and Xi'an, Softtek China serves as a strategic technology supplier to global software and high-tech companies and as a solutions provider to corporate Fortune 500 and government clients. For more information, visit www.softtek.com <http://www.softtek.com/> .

About the Great Wall Friendship Award:
The Great Wall Friendship Award is an annual award, established in 1999 by the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, to honor foreign experts who contribute remarkably to the development of Beijing. It's the highest award in such a field. Every year, an award ceremony is held, and each award winner is given a certificate of honor issued by the People's Government of Beijing Municipality.