"We are around 5,000 (in India now). The target is to be 10,000 before the end of next year. It's doubling in 14 to 16 months," Hubert Giraud, CEO, Capgemini Global BPO Services said.

Speaking to PTI on the sidelines of Nasscom India ITES-BPO Strategy Summit, Giraud also said the firm is looking at tier-II and tier-III cities in India to start three more new centres in India.

"We are exploring several options," he said. Working in three cities of Bangalore, Mumbai and Kolkata right now, Capgemini is offering a full spectrum of software development, outsourcing, application management and BPO services to its global clients out of India. Eighty per cent of services offered out of India by Capgemini is to its US and UK clients, and 20 per cent to European companies, Giraud said.

Speaking on the BPO (business process outsourcing) scenario in India, he said he expects consolidation by bigger firms.  Retaining talent, bringing down attrition rates and controlling salaries are some of the challenges faced by BPO firms in India.

Among the countries, which would pose competition to India in the sector is the Philippines, which is doing a "very good job", according to him.  Indian BPO firms need to move up the value chain and focus on upgrade, Giraud advocated.

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