Business process outsourcing and off-shoring has been identified within national government priorities as an investment, economic growth and business development sector within the overall objectives of the Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (ASGISA).

South Africa offers a solid, high quality and low-cost solution for business process off-shorers.  In accordance with this the ECDC approach to BPO&O is directed at facilitating the investment in, and location of, call-centres in the Eastern Cape in accordance with provincial government policy (PGDP).  East London and Port Elizabeth are the preferred primary locations for BPO&O initiatives given their existing infrastructure.  Centres like Butterworth, Mthatha and Queenstown can also be considered as secondary locations for BPO&O operations.

In terms of BPO&O investments, the ECDC will assist potential investors in applying for the investment incentive grant programme that is on offer from the National Department of Trade and Industry.  These incentive grants are investment-value, employment-creation and on-shore/off-shore specific and consists of:

• Investment incentive grant of between R37 000 (US$5 000) and R60 000 (US$8 000) per seat; and
• Training and support grant of up to R12 000 (US$1 600) per agent.

Click here to download the BPO&O DTI investment incentive grant programme guidelines.

The ECDC approach to BPO&O (linked directly to national priorities) is based on the following:

• supporting the effective marketing of the Eastern Cape as a competitive BPO&O location;
• developing and deepening the pool of competitive talent;
• creating an enabling environment for investors to access incentives and infrastructure when investing in the sector;
• improving the quality of the provincial offering in terms of BPO&O for investors; and
• strengthening the industry in the province through stakeholder engagement.

As a BPO&O location the Eastern Cape has the following to offer potential investors:

• A central time-zone that makes it ideal for servicing markets in the far and middle East, Europe, Canada and the United States;
• Four internationally recognised Universities that cater to the needs of provincial commerce and industry;
• A suitable cultural affinity to international markets given that English is a primary language in the Eastern Cape;
• Access to suitable physical infrastructure in terms of the availability of existing buildings or the construction of purpose-built infrastructure in the two provincial IDZ's;
• World-class ICT connectivity and infrastructure (particularly in the urban areas of Port Elizabeth and East London);
• A commitment to quality; and
• Access to industry incentives on offer from National Government.

BPO&O SUBSECTORS
ICT AND ELECTRONICS (SOFTWARE)
FILM