Opening to Foreign Business Selecting a call center site in Asia has become less daunting in recent years, largely because of a new openness to foreign-based businesses expanding into the region. In the wake of the economic crisis, countries from Thailand to South Korea have introduced policy reforms aimed at reducing red tape and easing restrictions on foreign business. But, the diverse nature of the region also is reflected in the varying degrees of economic, social and governmental development. Running a call center in Cambodia, for instances, may be alarmingly inexpensive, but periodic coups ousting sitting prime ministers may cause most entrants to think twice. Most major U.S.-based outsourcing agencies have established a presence in Australia, and others have extended their reach deeper into the Asian mainland.
Variations is technological development are also evident throughout the region.
In fact, Singapore continues its on-going march toward societal and technological advancement, by nurturing its image as a regional information technology and telecom hub. In another deal that illustrates the competitive nature of the newly deregulated market in Singapore, Telstra and Singapore-based Keppel Telecommunications and Transportation entered a joint venture that offers a full range of telecommunications services to corporate and consumer customers. One of the biggest draws to India is its people. Citicorp, for example, is currently setting up a center in Brisbane, Australia. Every Australian and New Zealand state and major city has an investment office with a call center section eager to attract call centres and provide help and incentives.