Cairo has strengthened its status as one of the world’s leading offshoring destinations, climbing three places to rank fourth in the emerging cities category within the ’Top 100 Outsourcing Cities’ report, published by Global Services-Tholons on 13 December.

The combination of its skilled workforce, business environment, cost savings and the ongoing investments being made in its information communications and technology (ICT) sectors have been the drivers behind its improved rankings. This resulted in its emergence as the most-attractive outsourcing city in the Middle East and Africa region.

Alexandria, Egypt’s second ICT hub, also improved its ranking to 47th position from 50th in 2009.

“This independent report affirms Egypt’s position as a leading global outsourcing destination and gateway to the Middle East and Africa. We are continuing to invest in the capabilities of our talent pool, infrastructure and business environment,” says Yesser el-Kady, chief executive officer of Information Technology Development Industry Agency (ITIDA), an affiliate of Egypt’s Communications and Information Technology Ministry.

ITIDA was set up to spearhead the country’s expansion into the ICT industry and attract foreign investment to the industry.

The only other Middle Eastern city featured in the report was Casablanca’s Morocco, which ranks 45^th.