The Hindu Business Line : Zacks India chief set to head ICRA's BPO unit

MR Joydeep Bhattacharya, in charge of the Indian operations of Zacks, the US-based securities research house, is set to join ICRA as the head of its new BPO unit.

The rating agency proposes to offer BPO services in a big way, starting first with projects carried out for Moody's, its international partner and stakeholder. It plans to negotiate with other parties for securing similar mandates.

When contacted, Mr Bhattacharya confirmed the development, adding that the latest assignment will be his second innings with ICRA.

The BPO arm, to be based in Kolkata, will be housed in a completely new location.

According to Mr P.K. Choudhury, Managing Director of ICRA, the proposed unit will take up research assignments for clients and provide certain value-added services.

"Our services will range from providing economic analysis to working out theme-based presentations for customers."

Given its plans, ICRA is looking at a situation where around 10 per cent of its revenues comes from the BPO business, which has already been started in a limited way in Mumbai, courtesy its recent association with MFI (Mutual Funds India).

The latter, now being called ICRA Online, has already started working on software development projects.