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8 Indian cities among world's riskiest BPO spots

June 1, 2009 14:25 IST

Image: Indian employees at a call centre provide service support to international customers.
Photographs: Sherwin Crasto/Reuters

Here comes another overseas study and another bout of India-bashing.

India may have been hailed for long as the world's top outsourcing destination, but according to a survey in the annual Black Book of Outsourcing, as many as 8 Indian cities are among the world's 25 riskiest places for offshoring.

And what are the reasons for this, according to this study? Mainly, concerns like terrorism, pollution and geopolitical issues, etc.

Meanwhile, global management consulting firm A T Kearney says that although India is the world's favoured back-office, the Middle East and the North African region are slowly emerging as promising offshoring destinations because of large, well educated population and proximity to Europe.

Anyway, for whatever the study is worth, here are the eight riskiest offshoring destinations from India. . .

Text: Agencies

Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida: 6th riskiest

Image: Corporate offices for Ernst & Young located in Gurgaon, India.
Photographs: Morphogenesis/Handout/Reuters

The national capital region comprising Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida has earned the dubious distinction of being the worst offshoring destination within the country.

In the overall global list, NCR has been ranked as 6th riskiest.

Mumbai: 9th riskiest in the world

Image: A scooterist stops in front of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station, also known as Victoria Terminus, in Mumbai.
Photographs: Arko Datta/Reuters

The National Capital Region is followed by Mumbai as the second riskiest offshoring hub within India, and 9th riskiest globally.

In terms of terrorism threats Mumbai has been ranked as the location with the highest risk, followed by Delhi NCR and Jerusalem in Israel.

Further, Delhi NCR has been ranked as the riskiest place when it comes to heightening trans-national and geopolitical concerns.

Chandigarh: 15h riskiest in the world

Image: Traders eat sweets at a brokerage in Chandigarh.
Photographs: Ajay Verma/Reuters

Chandigarh has been ranked the 15th riskiest offshoring spot by the Black Book of Outsourcing.

The rankings of safest and riskiest places are based on factors like high terrorist or rebel target threats, uncontrolled environment waste and pollution, corruption and organised crime, unstable currency, geopolitical conditions and unsecured networks and technology.

Pune: World's 20th riskiest

Image: New cars awaiting despatch at Tata Motor's plant in Pune.
Photographs: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters

Pune has been ranked 20th riskiest offshoring destination in the world.

Meanwhile, no Indian city has managed to find a place on a separate list of 25 safest offshoring destinations. Both the lists have been published in the 2009 edition of the Black Book of Outsourcing, brought out every year by US-based Brown-Wilson Group.

The publication is considered as a major independent analysis and advisory research for the outsourcing players and investors globally.

Chennai: 21st riskiest in the world

Image: Employees at a gold jewellery shop wait for customers in Chennai.
Photographs: Babu/Reuters

Chennai has been ranked the 21st riskiest offshoring destination in the world.

India accounts for the maximum number of cities in the 25 riskiest places, while China and Mexico lead the tally in the 25 safest list with three cities each. There is just one Chinese city, Dalian, among the 25 riskiest places at 12th place.

In the safest 25 list, Singapore is followed by Dublin (Ireland), Santiago (Chile), Krakow/Warsaw (Poland) and Toronto/Montreal (Canada) in the top five. The three Chinese cities -- Beijing, Shenzen and Shanghai -- have been ranked as 9th, 22nd and 24th safest destinations, respectively.

Bangalore: 23rd riskiest

Image: Pilots from the Surya-Kiran aerobatic demonstration team of the Indian Air Force perform during the 'Aero India 2007' show at the Yelahanka air force station on the outskirts of Bangalore.
Photographs: Jagadeesh Nv/Reuters

Bangalore has been named the 23rd riskiest offshoring destination in the world.

Bangalore, another leading outsourcing destination in the country, has been ranked as the riskiest place in terms of uncontrolled environmental waste and pollution.

Hyderabad: 24th riskiest

Image: Pigeons fly against the backdrop of the historic Charminar monument in Hyderabad.
Photographs: Krishnendu Halder/Reuters

Hyderabad was ranked the 24th riskiest offshoring destination in the world.

Overall, Colombian city Bogota has been ranked as the riskiest in the world, while Singapore has been named as the safest offshoring destination.

Kolkata: India's least risky BPO destination

Image: A horse-cart passes in front of the Queen Victoria Memorial in Kolkata.
Photographs: Jayanta Shaw/Reuters

Kolkata is the least risky offhsoring destination in India, according to the study and ranks 25th riskiest in the world.

In the riskiest 25 list, Bogota is followed by Bangkok in Thailand, Johanesburgh in South Africa, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Kingston in Jamaica among the top five.

The survey also stated the global financial crisis has slowed recent offshoring moves, the percentage of companies' staff offshore may very well increase as a result of the crisis.