Western Cape municipality George is developing into a competitive contact centre destination in a bid to target the local and international business process outsourcing market (BPO).

The Western Cape government has been striving to attract international investment into the Western Cape BPO sector and market the region as an investment destination of choice. The sector now employs about 33 500 people and is worth an estimated R7.9 billion to the regional economy.

Carli Bunding-Venter, manager for economic development in the George Municipality, says as part of a broader economic programme, it is rolling out an IT incubator programme.

“The IT incubator is important to the growth of George and its surrounding areas and is set to play a critical role in attracting more ICT-related industries to the region. This, in turn, will create a supportive environment for BPO operators and will ensure that all technical needs can be met locally,” says Imel Rautenbach, president of the George Business Chamber.

“It is further envisaged that the incubator will foster a spirit of innovation in the region, which, in turn, will allow the more adventurous BPO operators to create new services and product offerings out of George,” adds Rautenbach.