Call Centre at the Cape
The establishment of Call Centres or Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) measures in general continues to be one of the most rapid growing sectors in recent years. Since the beginning of the new millennium this sector has seen significant growth. In the city of Cape Town we have now about 167 Call Centre /BPO companies with a total of 15,000 employees, making this sector one of the most important employers in the region. Since 2004 foreign investment in the Call Centre /BPO sector mounted to more than EURO 110m only in the Cape Town area. In 2005 investments increased again by another 19%.
European companies maintain Call Centres in South Africa
Also European companies have invested in the region around the Cape. Lufthansa for example, together with Global Telesales maintains its own Call Centre in Cape Town. Although there is only a limited pool of local employees with European language skills, an investment in the Call Centre/ BPO sector can be an interesting step for European companies. With the Immigration Act the South African government created the opportunity for companies to ‘import’ large numbers of foreign workers.
South Africa offers alternatives and has an aim
In the relation to other traditional off-shore countries such as the Philippines or India, South Africa presents an interesting alternative. From special importance here is the ratio of high quality standards and low costs. South Africa offers the most modern standards of communication. Furthermore South Africa closes the gap for European global players between the neighbouring countries in Eastern Europe, offering regional and cultural proximity and the traditional locations such as the Philippines and India, attracting business mainly due to their cost advantage. The South African government supports the development in the Call Centre /BPO sector and has ambitious goals. In 2008 South Africa wants to become number three outsourcing centre in the world behind India and the Philippines. Until 2014 the country aims for the second place.
upcoming event
Business trip to South Africa in January 2011
The next business trip to South Africa organised by ESA-Meridian takes place from January 22, 2011 until January 28, 2011. Participants get the chance to talk to business leaders, visit companies as weel as infrastructure projects. For further information please send us an e-mail to businesstrip2011@esa-meridian.com
news
ESA-Meridian in Renewable Energy working group
Renewable energy are gaining importance in the local energy mix. The South African government is focussing on solar and wind within its strategic energy planning. Generous feed-in tariffs has already attracted local as well as international investors. The German-South African Chamber of Commerce in Johannesburg has set-up a working group dealing with renewable energies. The working group represents inter alia the interests of the German industry in this important industry segment. ESA-Meridian is an active member of the working group and will report on a regualr basis about the news.
upcoming event
automechanika - 2011 again in South Africa
The automechanika open its doors again from March 9, 2011 until March 12, 2011. After a succesful kick-off in 2009 the fair expects approximately 400 exhibitors on the NASREC premises in Johannesburg. Automecchanika is one of the most important automotive fair worldwide. The event is a cooperation between Messe Frankfurt and South African organisers.