By Susana Lima
According to AGEXPORT information, Services Sector will culminate 2011 with U.S. $ 397.3 million in contrast to 2010 when it earned U.S. $ 65.4 million. The Contact Centers accounted 49% of the increase shown in services exports, which means U.S. $ 194.9 million, compared well with those obtained in 2010 which were U.S. $ 162.4 million and estimating a growth of 20%. This means employment for more than 16,400 people according to the Commission's Contact Center & BPO Agexport.
Within the service sector, Call centers have been the most dynamic and constituted almost 50% of total export value thanks to its massive employment generation.
The President of the Commission Contact Center & BPO, German Lopez said: This confirms that drive this industry gives a significant enhancement to the contribution that can give the Guatemalan population in employment and boost of the economy. The importance of expanding human resources trained in the English language is key to continuing growth of the industry and is also critical that the Congress adopt the necessary provisions for part-time jobs, to be able to support the country for the development and preparation level in this language would be a great support and sustain the growth engine in the industry.
The Commission on Contact Center & BPO conducted three job fairs at the sectorial level (Global Contact Fair) in order to maintain the growth of this industry and present opportunities to more than 20,000 Guatemalan students. It also held meetings with schools and pre-university students to raise awareness of the opportunities this industry offers to the public.
The businessmen believe that growth will moderate in 2012 due to the prospects of less impact on the weakening trade of global economy and the limited human resources in English language skills, knowledge and technical and global skills the industry requires; weakness in the educational system, poor performance in different sciences and little linkage between industry and academia.
In reference to the digital issue in Guatemala, German Lopez said: Guatemala has shown so much talent, that if you join forces Guatemala may be recognized as the seat of digital talent. However, it is necessary to take into account the proposal of public policies for ICTs. This proposal was made by AGEXPORT in order to overcome the factors that are limiting us, and which are based on 4 areas: Human Resources with global competition, attracting new investments with high added value; Improving Productivity and Competitiveness and Positioning and Country Image.
