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BELTRAIDE is zoning in on the Business Process Outsourcing Sector - or what you and I know as call centers. That was featured on the cover of their invest in Belize magazine, and it is the focus of a consultant who's coming up with a BPO Strategy for Belize. A workshop discussing that was held today at the House of Culture in Belize City. Nick Ruiz of BELTRAIDE says the idea is to come up with a road map for BPO sector growth:..

Nicholas Ruiz - Executive Director - BELTRAIDE
"The consultant is telling us that approximately the BPO sector contributes about 2% of GDP. It has over 17% million US dollars in revenue just in 2011. We are forecasting that in 2015 it will grow from the current 1,800 employees to 3,000 employees. It has seen a 10% growth from last year, so we knew it was growing - it's a vibrant sector. We need to make sure that everybody knows what's going on and how they can participate."

"The consultancy lays out some of the current situations, some of the weaknesses that we have and where we need to improve - it's far ranging. It talks about revamping our labor laws to tailor them to this sector. The investments that need to occur in education, more training that needs to happen at the technical school levels; University levels; specifically tailored to the BPO sector."

Reporter
"When you say labor laws, does that implicate maybe cheaper rate? What do you mean?"

Nicholas Ruiz
"Not at all. It would mean for example (certainly we wouldn't advocate for that) but the recommendations from the consultant is that for example other countries have look at the BPO sector and made changes, for example to allow for the working hours. The BPOs they are 24/7, so tweaking here and there to be able to reflect those working hours that come with the sector."

This consultancy is following the same path as the consulting on medical tourism - as both those areas are identified as high - potential for Belize.