Dutch - Palestinian IT-cooperation (offshore seminar - 25 March, Amsterdam)
More than 10.000 Palestinian IT professionals are already working in the region, and universities produce more than 2500 graduates each year. PITA, the Palestinian IT Association of companies, has grown to more than 80 members, both in the Westbank and the Gaza Strip. These firms offer a variety of IT services and have knowledge of the major software platforms and programming languages. With low labour costs (lower than India or China), Palestine is promoting itself as a new offshore outsourcing destination.
Dutch - Palestinian IT-cooperation (offshore seminar - 25 March, Amsterdam)
More than 10.000 Palestinian IT professionals are already working in the region, and universities produce more than 2500 graduates each year. PITA, the Palestinian IT Association of companies, has grown to more than 80 members, both in the Westbank and the Gaza Strip. These firms offer a variety of IT services and have knowledge of the major software platforms and programming languages. Other companies are active in the field of BPO (Business Process Outsourcing), such as call centers or animation. With low labour costs (lower than India or China), Palestine is promoting itself as a new offshore outsourcing destination.
Some of its service providers are already working for foreign clients, especially for clients in the Middle-East - and are sometimes preferred above large Indian service providers. Surprisingly, major American companies are already outsourcing IT-work to Palestine. Current examples are Intel, Cisco and HP. Some firms from Israel are working with Palestine as well. The cultural differences with Palestine are very low (not only compared to India, but even to Central- and Eastern-Europe). In addition, their English language skills are good (and without an accent) and staff turnover is low.
Palestine can be considered a ‘nearshore’ destination for European clients, since it is only 4 hours by plane and there is hardly any time difference. The number of European users of Palestinian IT-services is however limited. A major reason for this is the public perception that violence is always near. Even in times of conflict however, telecommunication with foreign clients has not been affected. Since offering IT-services is highly independent from geography and boundaries, it is an interesting option for economic growth for Palestine. For this reason, GPI Consultancy will start a matchmaking project, in order to promote Palestine among potential Dutch IT-clients. The new project will also promote IT-cooperation between companies from Israel and Palestine.
GPI Consultancy organizes a seminar on offshore outsourcing on 25 March (Amsterdam). Different offshore destinations will be covered, including India, China and Eastern-Europe. For information: info@gpic.nl; the program of the seminar can be found at: www.gpic.nl/seminar25maart.pdf