New mixed-use commercial building at King Shaka International Airport precinct: a landmark for business growth
Iziko@Dube will house one of KwaZulu-Natal's leading business process outsourcing (BPO) service providers, along with a dynamic mix of staff support amenities that include training facilities and a 24-hour corporate cafeteria, as well as the Durban Aerotropolis visitors centre and new meeting facilities.
Dube TradePort said this seven-storey mixed-use commercial building is set to officially open in the second half of this year.
'We are committed to positioning Dube City as a premier hub for both domestic and international businesses,' says Dube TradePort's CEO, Hamish Erskine.
'Iziko@Dube is a testament to our vision of fostering economic development, job creation, and building a vibrant business ecosystem. We look forward to welcoming new enterprises that will contribute to the prosperity of our region,' Erskine said.
It capitalises on the precincts' readily available high-speed internet connectivity, data centre facilities, and reliable power supply within the airport location. The building provides a robust environment for businesses focused on research and scaling technology-driven operations.
In its first year, the anchor tenant, a leading business process outsourcing service provider, will occupy six floors, initially bringing in 350 employees, which will expand to 1 800 when the building is fully occupied.
According to BPO Search, a consultancy that provides advice to companies seeking the ideal outsourcing partner, South Africa has experienced a surge in its BPO market since the global pandemic.
It stated that, with cost savings of up to 50% compared to onshore prices, low levels of agent attrition, and high performance statistics, it was easy to see why more international companies were taking a closer look at South Africa as their next BPO territory.
'Umhlanga is a modern business suburb that's home to most BPO centres. Balito is a short drive up the coast and has recently seen a BPO centre open; as the site is closer to some agents' homes, we feel it will be an even lower attrition location. In our opinion, the Durban area has the softest or most neutral accent of all South African locations, except perhaps for Port Elizabeth.'
South Africa has one of the fastest-growing business process outsourcing (BPO) hubs in the world, contributing significantly to local employment and economic growth, wrote Adjoah Kwaw of Investec Corporate Leverage Finance in an article last year.
Kwaw said the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry is growing globally, and South Africa is well placed to benefit economically. 'The global BPO industry has been on an upward trajectory, with South Africa emerging as a key player due to its unique value proposition,' Kwaw said.
Investec said South Africa has become a hub for BPO activities, thanks to its significant cost savings and skilled English-speaking workforce, as well as its favourable time zone, which aligns with key European and Middle Eastern markets.
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