<B>As a vital partner in the establishment of French leader Astek at the cyber tower in Ebène, why did you choose Mauritius? </B>

Astek deals with Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) in ICT development for big firms like EDF, France télécom or Hewlett Packard. More than a year ago, it decided to set up an ICT centre outside France and Mauritius had the required qualities. Operations started in 2004 after recruits were sent to France for a three-month training period to get used to the Astek setup. In Mauritius, there is a common will to boost the ICT sector. The infrastructure is there and engineering graduates from the University of Mauritius adapt very well. Quality is constant and has even improved.

<B>Do you believe, as it is usually thought, that Mauritius can only do basic operations for the moment? </B>

What Astek Mauritius Ltd has achieved has high value added. This is why Astek employs engineering graduates from the University of Mauritius, who are very competent. Unfortunately, they are few in number and Astek has had much difficulty in finding enough of them this year (unlike last year.) This lack of labour force could make companies go away to competitive destinations like Romania. This is becoming the major problem in Mauritius.

<B>The government intends to make of Mauritius a key-actor in BPO. Do you think this is possible?</B>

Right now, Mauritius has the infrastructure and staff required. But there are other challenges ahead. It is one thing to make investments; it is another to help develop the market for those already present. There should be an all-round effort to make the sector become a credible pillar of the economy.

<B> To create some sort of Mauritius label…</B>

Mauritius is known as a competent destination but it is not the only one. At BPO level, Mauritius is still waiting for customers. To achieve the goal, we have to see exactly what customers want. The BPO field is still young, particularly in France. French customers want to use BPO but they don’t know how. It is the right time for Mauritius to present a comprehensive package of services to show that it has specific advantages and a coherent offer.

<B>What is BPO exactly?</B>

BPO consists in entrusting some administrative or other jobs to another company. BPO can be about simple operations like input, telephone calls… but it can also concern more complex operations , which demand know-how and experience in a particular field. If the work of the customer firm and the BPO company are integrated enough, there should be methods and software to organise the work, supervise the process and communicate between operators. BPO can be applied to any job. What is common to all BPO operations is the need for working methods.

<B>What are the fields that could be of some interest for Mauritius?</B>

Let’s take an example: tourism and transport management. Mauritius has numerous professionals in the field and trains skilled staff every year. It can rapidly become a centre of excellence offering BPO services in transport management. The most important thing is to offer something different, to be ahead and to be recognised worldwide.

<B>What is the government’s role?</B>

The start is not so easy and there is room for improvement. It is now time for action. The government has to make an effort. For instance, I would recommend that the next Board of Investment representative in Paris, who will soon be appointed, must be a BPO professional with a wide knowledge of the French market. You should answer the demand of big French firms.

<B>What about the companies themselves?</B>

Mauritian firms should pool their expertise to promote Mauritius as a whole. There will be changes coming up and we must not miss the boat. BPO is expected to be one of the biggest markets for the coming years. Competition will be tough and joining forces is the only way for Mauritius to attain the top range in BPO.