South Africa Joins the Battle For Global Call-Center Business
Dow Jones Newswires</br></br>JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- South Africa is becoming a serious player in the international battle to attract companies from abroad to set up cost-effective customer call centers on its shores.</br></br>The country has attracted at least 15 foreign companies and several are currently considering cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg as alternatives to Indian and Chinese venues.</br></br>Last week, U.K. short-term insurance broker Budget Insurance said it has invested around 100 million rand ($14.7 million) in a 200-seat call center in Cape Town with plans to treble its size.</br></br>U.S.-based investment manager State Street Corp., meanwhile, unveiled a plan to develop a back-office operation in Cape Town for its custodial services.