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Business Process Outsourcing

2010 opens BPO, tourism opportunities for Gauteng

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:11

By Michael Appel

The Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), infrastructure and tourism are some of the opportunities presented by the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“In terms of business opportunities brought about by the 2010 FIFA World Cup, South African entrepreneurs can invest in infrastructure, particularly the maintenance of newly built structures, tourism and the BPO industry,” said Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Affairs, Mandla Nkomfe.

“The tourism industry is basically our new gold, as it contributes more than the actual gold mining industry does to the country’s Gross Domestic Product [GDP],” highlighted the MEC.

Speaking at the biggest inter-business soccer exhibition in the world, Soccerex 2008, Mr Nkomfe indicated that Gauteng was also the home of the BPO industry or call centre industry in South Africa.

Over 70 percent of all call centres in the country is based in Gauteng, he said, adding that in recognition of the importance of this industry, both IBM and Virgin Mobile have located their call centres in Gauteng.

Gauteng is the fourth biggest economy in Africa taking into consideration other countries and provinces, and can act as a springboard for foreign and local investors into the rest of South Africa and into the rest of the continent, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, in particular.

Brazilian Ambassador to South Africa, José Vicente de Sá Pimente told media and delegates that trade between South Africa and Brazil currently stands at about $2.5 billion in Brazil’s favour, but that the business of football will emerge as a economically unifying factor as Brazil prepares to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Sub Secretary of Sport from the Federal District of Brasilia in Brazil, Herbert Felix said the hoisting of the world cup has necessitated that Brazil improve the security situation, the transport systems and accommodation facilities.

“What we look forward to is that the World Cup [in 2014] will create jobs and promote social inclusiveness within society.

“The hosting of the world cup is more than just building stadiums, but it is about the richness of the game and the affect it has on society.

“We understand that we will have to invest massively to reap any benefits from the world cup.

“We are fighting and striving as the capital city of Brazil to be the headquarters for the world cup in 2014,” said Mr Felix.

The tournament has an immeasurable grandeur about it and Brazil in their preparations will only be using professionals, Mr Felix said, adding they will learn what they can for the South Africa’s experience.

The sub secretary said he will leave Soccerex 2008 with a greater conviction that the Soccerex in Brazil in 2009 will also be great success, and that the world cup in 2014 can be a success just as it will be a success in South Africa in 2010.

President of Aguia, Wagner Abrahao, which is a consortium of small business leaders in tourism, said Brazilian businesses understand that partnerships need to be formed to handle an event of the magnitude of the FIFA World Cup.

“The world cup will be a like a machine that gives companies an opportunity to exploit the influx of tourists in 2014.

“Football is also a language of peace and it is up to the tourism industry to showcase the culture of the Brazilian people come 2014,” Mr Abrahao said.

- BuaNews