Listers,

For the benefit of those that closely follow the outsourcing sector goings on, this progress report was posted on the KICTB website. Access to such information minimizes unnecessary queries by the private sector to the concerned agencies and affords all stakeholders a standard script to read from.

As I read this report and while 50% of 70% of the recommendations have been achieved, I feel that the following status points need further clarification:

1. Under the “Launch a go-to market campaign to bring investors” – from the 12 or so targeted international events in 2010, what are the success numbers? How many firms have expressed interest in investing/outsourcing to Kenya? Did they partner/expressed interest to partner with any firm in Kenya? Did they have contacts of these organizations in Kenya? Did Kenyan firms send have their profiles included in any marketing materials by the board at these events?

2. Prioritize large scale operators – Is this strategy working? How many operations that are under this threshold are successfully doing business in Kenya? Is the lack of 250 seat capacity operations as a result of lack of business, limited access to funding or lack of industry knowledge?

3. Government commitment to the industry – are the special economic zones extendable to foreign firms only or has this been applied to local firms that have onshore (Kenyan company outsourcing to a Kenyan firm) work? What is the criteria for special economic zone exemptions? Which agency is responsible for which licenses, exemptions, etc?

4. Improve the international perception of Kenya…as the country awaits for a NASSCOM type body to emerge -  Does this report recommend then that the BPO/ITES working group assumes the role of the industry body? Does the board/ working group have guidelines for the industry?

5. Is the BPO syndicate committee in place? Who are the members and what are their roles?

Best Regards,

Edwin M Onchari

0720755951

eonchari@lynxbits.com