The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has signed a EUR 3 M equity investment in CallPoint New Europe, a major services outsourcing company operating in Bulgaria.

“We are very impressed with recent growth in Bulgaria of companies offering quality technology solutions for the Bulgarian and external markets. Companies like CallPoint New Europe are creating jobs for Bulgaria’s young, intelligent labour force,” said Daniel Berg, EBRD Director, Bulgaria.

This is EBRD’s first investment in the Bulgarian BPO sector and also the first small equity investment in Bulgaria utilising the EBRD – Italy Local Enterprise Facility (LEF). LEF was introduced in Bulgaria from January 2011, following several successful years in other countries around the Balkans.

Prior to EBRD acquisition of a minority stake CallPoint New Europe Ltd, Cyprus, was the only shareholder in the company.

After signing the agreement with the bank CallPoint New Europe Ltd, Cyprus, owns a 79% stake in the company and does not have the right to sell securities without EBRD consent.

CallPoint New Europe was established in Bulgaria in 2004. With its roughly 800 employees located in Sofia and Plovdiv (Bulgaria) and Bucharest (Romania), the company offers a wide range of business processes outsourcing and client interaction services to industries such as travel, financial services, retail/e-commerce, software and telecommunications.

The services are delivered in up to 16 European languages and consist of customer support, telemarketing, debt collection, marketing surveys, technical support and to a lesser extent HR outsourcing services.