Hong Kong telemarketing firm 800 TeleServices Holding has opened an Internet-based customer relationship management (CRM) service centre in Shanghai.
The company, which acts as a marketing and sales channel for producers of goods and services, said the Shanghai centre was opened in response to growing demand from producers to gain a foothold in the Chinese market as it opens ahead of the country's accession to the World Trade Organisation.
The Shanghai centre will employ about 100 local staff, selling products, answering enquiries and processing orders from consumers around the clock on behalf of corporate or government clients.
Group director Alex Wong said China's service industries were becoming increasingly aware of the importance of customer relationship services as the market was becoming more competitive.
The three-year-old telemarketing firm expanded to Shanghai after establishing a foothold in Hong Kong and Taiwan, with a combined clientele of about 110 businesses and government agencies.
'We chose Shanghai because it is open to new ideas and has buying power,' Mr Wong said.