Consider back office operations in your national export development strategy. Developing countries can harness the current trend of outsourcing business operations to address key challenges in managing their economic development.

This article is the second of two about the growing opportunities for developing and transition economies to provide back office services to international firms, public-sector agencies and non-profit organizations (see also Forum, issue 3-2000).

ITC actively participated in CYSERV 2000 (Cyprus, October 2000), a trade event aimed at promoting services exports. Drawing an audience of over 100 from more than 17 Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Central and Eastern European developing countries, the event focused on techniques and strategies for government representatives, trade support institutions and entrepreneurs. The event included a trade exhibition, seminar and conference. It featured presentations such as the impact of WTO’s General Agreement on Trade in Services, the digital economy, new opportunities for services firms, building credibility in foreign markets and the impact of e-commerce for tourism markets.

This article is the first in a two-part series about the growing opportunities to provide back office services to international firms, public-sector agencies and non-profit organizations. Adapted from ITC’s new publication, Offshore Back Office Operations: Supplying Support Services to Global Markets, these articles are designed to raise awareness about the market opportunities for developing countries and share successful strategies and best practices.