Call centre makes business easier for investors

The Cheshire Home-based Call Centre is part of the department's new strategy on investment promotion and facilitation that seeks to improve the investment climate in the country and reduce the costs of doing business.

The 10-seater call centre will be staffed by people with disabilities.

It is to be a one stop shop service for national and international investors to reduce administrative and regulatory barriers, as well as facilitating a smooth entry into the South African market by foreign investors.

Davies said investment was a key government priority. “We are trying to reach targets in reaching productive activity, growth in employment, decreasing inequalities, tackling poverty and providing decent employment,” he said.

The department has in the past year updated strategies on exports and foreign economic offices and embarked on a training programme to ensure that all export and investment promotion activities are undertaken by people who are appropriately trained.

The call centre agents have in this regard, been in training for the past six months on the department's programmes and services.

An Integrated Project Team approach has been adopted and last year there were investment enquiries worth R46.5 billion.

Davies said the success of the three year pilot project may lead to further expansion of this concept and adoption by other government departments and the private sector across the country.

The call centre will be operational from 30 November 2009 and investors are encouraged to phone +27 (0)11 341 1600 or email: .

Article published courtesy of BuaNews