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Business Process Outsourcing – more commonly known as ‘BPO’ – is one of the fastest growing ICT-based industries that is creating jobs and upon which the new economies are based, Dr. Jenfan Muswere, the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services has said.
He made the remarks in his keynote address at the Contact Centre Association of Zimbabwe on the occasion of the National BPO and Contact Centre Conference underway in Harare today which is expected to leave a longstanding impression about the impact of information and communication technologies on economic development in the country.
Minister Muswere said the information revolution no longer defines the future of our economies, but the now, as ICT-driven services have become the pillar of the Fourth Industrial revolution.
“Business Process Outsourcing – more commonly known as ‘BPO’ – is one of the fastest growing ICT-based industries that is creating jobs and upon which the new economies are based.
“I, therefore, believe that this conference will go a long way in contributing to our economic recovery and is in line with the “Zimbabwe is open for Business” philosophy that is being spearheaded by the Head of State, His Excellency President E.D. Mnangagwa,” Hon Muswere said.
He said the global BPO industry is estimated to be valued at around US$6 trillion, and the country is well-poised to effectively tap into the lucrative industry.
The Zimbabwe BPO and Contact Centre Conference forms part of the first large-scale and developmental initiative aimed at positioning Zimbabwe as a global BPO and Contact Centre destination with the objective of creating over 20 000 jobs by 2023 and over 25 million FDI within the next five years.
Minister Muswere said the long-term vision is to establish Zimbabwe as a global outsourcing destination creating over 50 000 jobs and over $100 million dollars in foreign currency earnings by 2030 – Vision 2030, so to speak.
“Zimbabwe’s value proposition is about overall economic value, high-quality service and staff, strong cultural compatibility, and a favourable time zone. But better still, the Government through our Ministry is committed to playing a complementary role in the development of the local BPO industry. We recognize that the BPO industry has the potential to be one of the major drivers of inclusive growth in the country.
“To this extent, through the implementation of effective and appropriate policies, our Ministry aims to develop an enabling environment for the creation of a knowledge-based society that will benefit key economic players. The Government has already contributed significantly to setting a platform for the local BPO industry. Continuing Government investment in the education sector has resulted in Zimbabwe having the continent’s highest literacy rate and the most articulate English speakers. In this respect, we will not stop,” he added.
The Minister reiterated that indeed, the BPO industry has immense potential to contribute to economic growth and employment creation in the country.
Currently, over 18 000 people are already working in contact centres in Zimbabwe. Minister Muswere urged the private sector to keep abreast with global trends with regards to outsourcing and contact centres and encouraged them to pull resources together in engaging international players.
To ensure sustainability, the ICT ministry pledged to come up with initiatives that will attract global players to invest in the sector.
“We are fully aware of the call by private players and investors to have the BPO and contact centres in the special economic zone. That will be considered. A symbiotic relationship between Government and the private sector is key to seeing Zimbabwe reach its full potential as a BPO powerhouse,” Minister Muswere added.