The high demand for outsourcing and offshoring services prompted newly-launched, Bula Outsourcing, to expand its operations to the West.
Company chairperson, Clive Kirkpatrick, during the official launch of the company at Damodar Event Cinemas on Wednesday night, said their business was growing fast since July, 2021.
He said they had to hold off new customers to get their staff trained and settle them into their new office.
Bula Outsourcing is now operating out of Ganilau House in Suva, and with 70 employees to date. The new office can cater up to 20 more employees.
When the company began, with 10 employees, it was co-sharing space with CentreCom Fiji, another BPO service provider.
Mr Kirkpatrick said they were in talks with Government and stakeholders to set up on the proposed Special Economic Zone in Lautoka.
In 2019, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism (now the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport), signed an agreement with the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF).
The agreement secured FNPF’s support as a primary developer and management services provider of the development and construction process of the Zone.
This is part of Government’s five-Year and 20-Year National Development Plan that would develop Fiji as a manufacturing and services hub of the Pacific for which developing specialised economic zones is essential.
Mr Kirkpatrick said: “So we’ll look to take occupancy on one of those properties, we may need to move more quickly to make demand.”
Economic diversification
The Prime Minister Voreqe Baninamarama who officiated the launch of Bula Outsourcing commended the company was already playing a part in our efforts to diversify the Fijian economy.
“To grow it, to make it more resilient and competitive and, to create the kinds of jobs that our people want,” he said.
“Bula outsourcing began its operations during the pandemic, which surely demonstrates its confidence in Fiji—in our world-class ICT (Information and Communications Technology) infrastructure, our policies, our competitive business costs and our people and of course our attractive tax incentives.
“In fact, you are lucky to have registered the name “Bula” because it is part of our Fijian brand – owned by all Fijians. I am sure the minister responsible for the companies office would like to have a discussion on this.”
Company managing director and chief executive officer, Josie Prasad, said: “My passion is to grow young individuals and entrepreneurs and encourage them to pursue their dreams to be the best that they can be.
“Our goal is to help our employees grow in the business. And as the company expands, we will develop their skills and enhance it. They will be leaders in the financial markets in investment and trade – the go-to people of the future.”