The Department of Trade and Industry on Wednesday announced the establishment of South Africa's Investment Call Centre, to be officially launched in March 2009.
The call centre will form part of the department's one-stop shop service aimed at reducing administrative and regulatory barriers, and facilitating smooth entry into South Africa for foreign investors.
It will register and monitor the processing of investment applications to the value of R100 million and above.
The 10-seater technologically advanced call centre will be located at the Cheshire Homes in Moroka, Soweto and will provide employment to people with disabilities living in the community, the department said.
“Call centre agents will track investment enquiries and follow-up with clients on progress made in respect of such applications.
“The recruitment of suitably skilled staff is currently underway. Once appointed, the agents will be required to undergo a six-week training programme,” the department said in a statement.
The Investment Call Centre is prescribed in government's Plan of Action, to improve the investment climate and cost of doing business in South Africa.
Regulatory barriers and high telecommunication costs have in the past been identified as obstacles for foreign investment in South Africa.
Foreign investment is critical to financing South Africa's account deficit in a current global economic climate which is less than buoyant.
Foreign investors have been practicing risk aversion by redirecting their investment away from developing markets and rather injecting the funds into struggling developed markets such as the United States and Europe.
The easier South Africa can make it to invest in the country, the greater chance South Africa has to either attract new investors or retain current foreign investors.
Article published courtesy of BuaNews
