Destination Outsourcing: TUNISIA
How can a small North African state that has no oil, gas or any other
natural resources be a destination for outsourcing? But as proven by small
countries like Tunisia, the best resource a country can have is its
people.
Tunisia's well-educated workforce is its greatest source of wealth and the
sudden influx of outsourced services can also be partly attributed to its
culture.
Tunisia has caught the attention of European-based companies like Alcatel
and Siemens.
Alcatel's R&D center in Tunisia was first tasked with assisting the
company's Paris and Milan centers in the development of products. It later
on evolved into an independent design and implementation center.
Tunisia's blend of Arab and French traditions also made it an ideal call
center hub for European clients. SR Teleperformance, a multinational call
center, currently employs about 1,000 workers in Tunisia that serve French
clients.
SR Teleperformance outsources to other French-speaking sites like in
Argentina, Canada, the Dominican Republic, India, Mexico and the
Philippines.
Because of the high rate of customer satisfaction, the company is
reportedly looking to add two new call centers in Tunisia. SR
Teleperformance sees Tunisia as a politically stable country with young
demographics, low wages and a modern telecommunications infrastructure.
These positive attributes do not escape other operators from other parts
of the world such as India, widely considered to be the world's leading
outsourcing destination.
According to India's Nasscomm, some Indian companies are exploring
possible partnertships with smaller countries like Tunisia.
Tunisia's government has invested significantly in a modern infrastructure
and a dynamic education system and the gains are gradually showing in the
form of foreign investments into the country.
The Tunisian state is keen on encouraging the relocation of foreign firms
by offering investors tax exemptions and providing assistance to set up
companies.
