Doha, 17 February 2010 - Aamal Company Q.S.C. ("Aamal"), one of the GCC's fastest growing diversified conglomerates, has signed a partnership agreement with a leading Egyptian contact centre and Business Process Outsourcing services provider "ECCO Outsourcing" to establish "ECCO Gulf," a Doha based Company specialising in the provision of outsourcing services to the local and regional market. The establishment of ECCO Gulf is in line with Aamal's strategy for diversification into new, high growth revenue streams and will support the wider industrialisation of the Qatari economy. It is expected that ECCO Gulf will have 300 personnel employed by the end of the year.

The business will focus on offering services via three main outsourcing divisions; Contact Centre Services, Business Process Outsourcing Services and Training and Development Services.

Contact Centre Services

ECCO Gulf's Contact Centre Services business unit will initially operate from Qatar as a business development hub and will offer local and regional companies a comprehensive range of Customer Relationship Management (CRM); customer care functions including welcome calls, first-line tele-support, complaints handling, debt collection and order taking and tracking as well as customer value growth services to include cross-selling, up-selling, anti-attrition calls, distribution channel follow-up, customer satisfaction surveys and loyalty programmes. It will also provide telesales outsourcing services focused on customer acquisition and SME business development through proactive outreach campaigns on behalf of its clients.

Business Process Outsourcing services

ECCO Gulf's Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services unit will allow customers to make use of ECCO BPO consultants' wide-ranging practical expertise and services. For example recruitment services, data entry, training and evaluation, job shadowing, service manual development, operation assistance, know-how transfer, administrative support, web order management, bill collection, e-mail and fax management

Its Body Shop HR services unit will provide clients with full human resources outsourcing services including staff advertising, pre-screening, capacity assessment, and the actual recruitment of required staff.

Training and Development Services

ECCO Gulf's Training and Development services division will cover a wide array of services including training and instruction on such areas as customer service skills, communication skills, telesales, work force planning and management, quality control, time management, leadership skills and team building.

Comment

H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of Aamal Company, said:

"I am delighted to announce the establishment of this new joint venture in partnership with ECCO Outsourcing. The current gap in the provision of Contact centre and Business process outsourcing services in Qatar and the wider Gulf region presents us with a significant opportunity to cater for the growing local and regional market needs. Initial demand has been extremely encouraging and ECCO Gulf has already signed several service agreements with high profile clients such as ICT Qatar and Barwa Bank and we have several other contracts currently under negotiation.

"ECCO Gulf is another step in Aamal's strategy to develop innovative growth initiatives and projects that satisfy the growing market demands of the region and reflects our commitment to the future development of the economy whilst providing shareholders with the best possible return on their investment. "

Mr. Amr Gohar, Chairman of ECCO Outsourcing, said:

"The establishment of ECCO Gulf in partnership with Aamal Company represents a significant opportunity for us. We look forward to working closely with Aamal to build our joint business across the Gulf and provide the highest levels of service to our new clients.

"With its strong market position and sound financial base Aamal is a highly attractive company to partner with in this venture and we look forward to developing a close relationship as we work together in the future."

-Ends-

About Aamal Company QSC
Aamal is one of the GCC's fastest growing diversified conglomerates, delivering a CAGR in operating profit of 23% from 2006-2008 and generating revenues of QAR 651m (US$179m) in 2008.  Focused on sustained, profitable growth and strongly diversified for balanced exposure across Qatar's growing economy, Aamal's operations comprise over 16 business units with market leading positions in the key property management and development, industrial, retail, managed services, medical equipment and pharmaceutical sectors.  Listed on the Qatar Exchange, Aamal currently ranks in the top 10 listed companies by market capitalisation.

About ECCO Outsourcing
ECCO is one of the leading providers of outsourcing, in-sourcing and co-sourcing contact centre services in the Middle East Region as well as a fast-growing player in the business process outsourcing solution market. 

Established in 2001, ECCO is more than just a conventional contact service provider adding value to their Clients through consultation on market trends, new services and recommendations to improve their overall business directions. 

ECCO has a reputable reference list of local and multinational customers. ECCO enables its customers to offload their operational burdens and focus on their core business.

Countries served outside Egypt: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, in addition to all Gulf countries, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, and USA.

Enquiries
Aamal
Arwa Goussous,
Corporate Communications Manager
+ 974 513 9539

Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Seb Hoyle
+974 452 8335

Ged Brumby
+44 (0) 20 7282 2996

Habib Bacha (for Arabic media)
+971 (0)2 401 2612

© Press Release 2010