Under Dutch law, the Indian biotechnology company Avesthagen might have gone bankrupt. But its Dutch director, Koen Wentink, is doing everything possible to survive this difficult period.

For years growth has been the mantra in the Sillicon Valley of Bangalore. Every national and international ICT company has opened an office here, because brainpower is still cheap and readily available.

Koen Wentink is director of the Indian biotechnology company Avesthagen - a business with a bright future. It develops new products such as biodegradable plastic and snacks for diabetics.

Large firms such as Nestlé and Danone are queuing up to work together with this successful Indian company. After several years Avesthagen has developed into a company with 650 employees. Floating on the stock market should have been the next step in this success story.

But then the credit crisis broke out. The company has had to cancel its plans. The millions of US dollars it was supposed to bring in are no longer forthcoming, but the debts are still growing. Within several months the company has slashed its workforce by a third, down to 400 employees. Nevertheless, Wentink is still not afraid of bankruptcy.