India contiues to lead offshore services nations' list

New Delhi, Mar 15 (UNI) India, closely followed by China, continues to lead the list of the world's leading offshore services locations by a wide margin, with declines in cost advantage being offset by improvements in talent supply and business environment.

''People continue to be India's greatest asset, particularly the large and educated labour force in combination with relatively low labour costs. As a result of being the leading global offshore hub for several years, it can demonstrate high scores on relevant experience like major certifications,'' said Mr Vivek Gupta, Managing Director of management consulting firm AT Kearney Ltd.

The country also does well on Security of Intellectual Property, he said.

He, however, added, ''Just as its strengths are well known, so are the challenges it faces. Attrition levels remain a chronic problem, as does the tax and regulatory environment.'' According to a survey conducted by AT Kearney, in 2006, the South East Asian nations reinforced their position as the primary alternates to India and China, with all six major Asean markets of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -- being ranked among the top 20 locations.

Besides Brazil, Chile, Bulgaria, Mexico, Slovakia, Egypt, Jordan, Estonia, Czech Republic, Latvia, Poland, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates occupied the top 20 slots.

The survey also indicated that globally the wage cost advantage of offshore locations for office services is set to last for another 20 years.

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