A 'tuned out' Pacific not attractive to investors
Updated
![Calling Fiji... an international call centre company says trying to set up a business in the Pacific is a challenge. [Reuters]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/base/fiji_suva_rtr_0301.jpg?<BR> "Calling Fiji... an international call centre company says trying to set up a business in the Pacific is a challenge. [Reuters]")
Calling Fiji... an international call centre company says trying to set up a business in the Pacific is a challenge. [Reuters]
An international call centre operator says Pacific Island countries need to change their attitude if they're to attract investment in the industry.
Global contact centre MindPearl is considering setting up a facility in either Fiji or American Samoa.
But chief executive William Pattison has told Radio Australia, trying to do business in the Pacific has been slow.
"What I'm seeing thus far in the Pacific, is an element of apathy, where they are not tuned into how to deal with a possible inward investor," Mr Pattison said.
"It's been a challenge - we're continuing to work with various governments but a lot of them are not totally clued up on what an outside investor is looking for.
"If you are sent to three different government departments in one morning that's going to delay your process," he said.
A working group from the recent economic summit in Fiji wants to turn Fiji into one of the world's major call centres by 2010.
