Dialog, Firstsource Solutions in US $ 1 m BPO venture

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

Dialog Business Services, the recently formed BPO venture of Dialog Axiata Group entered into a joint venture agreement with Firstsource Solutions Limited India forming Firstsource-Dialog Solutions to fuel growth in the country’s BPO and IT industry.

Dialog foresaw the BPO industry flourishing many years ago and efforts were made to capture this market segment. This joint venture is going beyond the best in class Dialog Contact Centre. Dialog will invest in resources and training in offering efficient international standard services, Dialog Axiata PLC Group CEO Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya said.

The investment for the Firstsource-Dialog Solutions partnership is US $ one million and 74 percent is acquired by Firstsource Solutions Limited which is the India’s largest listed BPO company.

“Both companies have made proportional contributions and there is growth in business and scope in the country’s IT business. As Dialog Business Center needs to become world’s standard we join hands with Firstsource to build in capacity,” he said.

Sri Lanka could be the regional leader in the BPO and IT sector. The Firstsource-Dialog Solutions could be the best BPO outsourcing company as a part of the IT eco system of the country. “This will enable the country to become a key player in the global market,” he said.

The joint venture company will serve the Sri Lankan market and beyond reaching the global market.

This is an important step for Firstsource as we expand our presence in South Asia, Firstsource Solutions Limited CEO and Managing Director Matthew Vallance said.

“We deliver a whole range of services in healthcare, telecom and media, banking financial services, insurance and Asia Business Unit in different locations deploying operations in the USA, UK, India, Australia, New Zealand and now in Sri Lanka.

“We will mostly employ Sri Lankans and one or two management staff from outside. The staff strength will be increased depending on the pace of growth,” he said.

“The Sri Lankan market is the natural extension on our Asian market. We have a good base in India and business expansion to Sri Lanka is logical and will give a synergy effect. The venture is customer management oriented and the Asian Business Unit income is expected to increase by 10 to 12 percent,” he said.