The Tribune

A Freeport-based call centre set to open this fall yesterday suggested it could createup to 600 jobs, although it will start with 100 or one-sixth of that amount.

Island Outsourcers a business process outsourcing (BPO) solution provider, which manages contact centre and back office functions for local and US-based companies, will take over the role previously performed by the Minstry of Tourism’s Miami-based call centre.

The company, which has the UK and Canadian market in its sights, has numerous clients in the travel and tourism industry.

“This is momentous for our island and country as a whole,” said Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) president, Ian Rolle.

“We look at the BPO industry as a huge supplier of jobs. It isn’t seasonal, and as the world economy gets tighter and more competitive, this industry will continue to thrive.”

Mr Rolle said that after months of negotiations with the GBPA’s business development team, Freeport was chosen as the location for Island Outsourcers’ expansion due to its geographic proximity to the North American mainland and a free trade zone area boasting competitive costs for operation of a call centre in the English-speaking Caribbean, with costs that are 20 to 30 percent lower than in the US, UK or Canada.

Obie Wilchcombe, minister of tourism, said: “For a very long time we have aimed to bring this important and needed call centre to the Bahamas, and to Grand Bahama in particular.

“We see Grand Bahama becoming the base of the Ministry of Tourism’s digital platform involving Bahamian companies and employing hundreds of Bahamians. Island Outsourcers brings invaluable experience and will enhance the new thrust for tourism growth and development in the Bahamas.”

Among the Bahamas’ competitive advantages are that it is in line with US east coast time zones, handling all call traffic through the US business day without the need for off-shift hours. A

Founder and chief executive of Island Outsourcers, Yoni Epstein, said: “From 2005 to 2008, the number of call agents in the Caribbean rose from 24,000 to 65,000.

“This growth rate is on target to rise to an additional 80 per cent to over 100,000 agents, with revenues from BPOs in the Caribbean approaching $1.5 billion.

“We believe in the Bahamas and its potential, and look forward to partnering with GBPA and the Government in pioneering a vision to establish a local BPO industry for the growth and development of Grand Bahama.”