New incentive for global business services will create jobs for youth - Davies

A new incentive for the global business services sector will create employment opportunities for youth in SA, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said.

The Global Business Services incentive - which came into effect on January 1, 2019 - was first launched last month by the minister in London. It replaces the previous Business Process Services Incentive, according to a statement from the department of trade and industry (dti).

The dti had revised the package after continuous monitoring of the global business services sector, a global benchmarking study and investor engagements.

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Through the incentive, youth will have opportunities in medium to high complexity jobs linked to major global brands, the department explained.

"Areas of special interest by potential global investors are legal services, finance and accounting and IT services," Davies said.

"With the added benefit of the incentives, South Africa will be able to attract a significant share of the opportunities presented by global market which this sector presents.

"The dti has partnered with the industry to develop a compelling value proposition to investors which will support government’s objectives of job creation within South Africa, primarily for youth and increase export revenue," the statement read.

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The industry body representing the global business services sector in SA – the BPeSA – is of the view the revised incentive will ensure SA remains competitive.

According to the dti the sector has reported an average annual growth rate of 22% and the growth rate is expected to increase over the next five years.