The World Bank announced on Sunday that it is exploring the possibilities of expanding its back office processing work in Chennai from basic processing to value-added work.
The bank would soon be moving to its own premise, spread over 60,000 sq ft from the current rented premises of 27,000 sq ft in the city.
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Addressing the media on the sidelines of the third and final day of Seventh National e-Governance conference in Chennai, Fayezul Choudhury, vice-president and controller, World Bank, said the bank is satisfied with the performance of the 180-member BPO team in the city and is seriously considering the option to moving some sections of its bond valuation work to Chennai.
"This value added work, that is performed once a month can be handled by a small team," he said.
He added that, though this would be a small team, it is indicative of the bank's outlook from 'can we do it to what more can be done.'
Choudhury also said that if the bank decides to move the analytical work in bond valuation to India, it would be first time in the history of the bank to move the work to place outside its headquarters in Washington DC. The size of the bank's commercial bonds portfolio is estimated at $100 billion.
The World Bank commenced its BPO as a primary processing work, including payroll processing work in August 2001 with a team of 80.
Today the team size has grown to 180. According to Choudhury, the final decision on moving to its own premises would be taken by the end of this fiscal and construction of the 60,000 sq ft premise will be completed 15 to 18 months from then.
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