Bacolod City makes a major leap in its bid to become the next IT hub in the Visayas as it opens its doors to the city's first call center in the middle of March.

Interactive Source Asia Inc., a joint venture between a Canadian-based solutions company and a group of prominent local entrepreneurs, is investing P200 million for the call center that is seen to provide jobs to more than 300 Bacoleños this year.

Frank Lai, CD, vice president and general manager, of GoldTech Computer Telephony Inc., the Canadian partner of the venture, told the DAILY STAR yesterday they will initially put up a 100-agent call center that will offer telemarketing services and engage in inbound campaign.

Specifically, the call center will bring back-office customer support and sales and marketing services to North American, Asian and Philippine market.

GC-CTI will provide I/O Asia with the state-of-the-art contact center solution presently installed all over the world.

Lai, who came with GT-CTI Phils. Inc. president Hans Dee in Bacolod yesterday, said they are now in the process of hiring people who will man the call center, including Bacolenos working in call centers in Metro Manila who have decided to return to the city.

Lai said they have yet to finalize the location of the call center, but their group will decide next week which among three areas they are considering will be chosen.

The Canadian investor said they chose Bacolod because the cost of doing business in the city is lower compared to other areas and because of its impressive educational system.

I like the school system here, they have good candidates, he said, adding that their company will work closely with schools in conducting formal call center trainings for students.

"We should have enough supply of call center agents from schools," Lai said.

PRISTINE LOCATION

I/O Asia said in a statement that it "sees Bacolod City as a pristine location to build the (call center) industry." "Support is coming from all sectors of the city, including the region and especially the city government, through its IT Focus Team, the academic body and the private business sector."

This tremendous boost in helping I/O Asia establish its call center has been the principal reason for choosing Bacolod as its location of choice, the company said.

Supplementing such support is "the abundance of highly-educated, highly-trainable, English-speaking people capable of sound judgement when communicating with foreigners," it added.*NLG

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