Outsource Brand Launched

The Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Council of Fiji launched the new Outsource Fiji brand yesterday in a move that was expected to raise Fiji’s profile as a preferred destination for outsourcing services and investment.

This as the sector forecasted the creation of 100,000 jobs over the next decade.

Acting Prime Minister and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum officiated at the event where he said the Government was trying to build an eco-system within the Information Technology and Communication industry.

He said the fundamental issues included accessibility or access to the technology, access to internet connection, making sure it was affordable, and ensuring enough competition in the market.

“In order to be able to ensure that the 100,000 jobs that we are talking about also goes to the people who live in the rural areas, it’s critically important that we provide them that level of accessibility to that technology,” he said.

Affordability

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said affordability was also important.

“Even with BPOs coming into Fiji, there are certain skill sets that are still not available in Fiji in terms of managerial skill sets,” he said.

“We need to work for example, with the Fiji National University to ensure that those skill sets are made available, the training is actually made available."

“And then you have ideally the most fantastic platform available to be able to attract further investors.”

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said incentives were available for investors that wanted to provide infrastructure to companies that want to set up in Fiji.

“Most people who do want to have outsourcing services carried out by Fiji don’t necessarily want to invest in brick and mortar,” he said.

Such investors wanted to set up in a plug-in-and-play environment.

“We are offering very generous incentives to investors, who will construct buildings, essentially for BPOS to come in or companies to come and set up in that environment.”

Council President

Business Process Outsourcing Council president, Carol Watkins, said some international brands testified about their experience with outsourcing to Fiji.

“They spoke highly about people, their neutral accent, the genuine service culture, they praised their robust infrastructure,” Mrs Watkins said.

“And for countries like Australia and New Zealand, being in the same time zone and only a three to four hour flight away, made it easier for them to work with their outsourcing partners."

“In a couple of weeks, we’ll be showcasing Fiji’s outsourcing industry.”

Mrs Watkinds said four new investors joined Fiji’s BPO space in Fiji.

She said there was significant growth forecasted for the sector, where one operator increased its headcount by 200 in the span of a few months.

“With our new branding, and campaigns, we expect to see our existing BPOS continue to experience exponential growth as well as more BPOS opening up in Fiji this year,” Mrs Watkins said.

“It is clear that Fiji’s outsourcing industry is now a viable sector for Fiji economic diversification."

Background

The brand was designed to promote Fiji as a premier/quality outsourcing destination.

The idea behind the brand was to showcase Fiji as more than just a tourist destination.

“We would like to show the world that Fiji has access to the right infrastructure, a highly qualified workforce and support from the government to meet the outsourcing needs of investors.”

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