Bulgaria is among the leading European countries in terms of the cost and quality of the outsourcing services the country offers, according to a report by two international real estate and global management consulting firms.

A joint analysis by Colliers International and AT Kearney shows that Bulgaria is in the top position for outsourcing opportunities among the 12 European countries surveyed, the Sofia News agency reported on March 8.

The other countries were: the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine .

“The assessment was based on criteria such as financial attractiveness, the economic environment and the availability of a skilled workforce,” said Atanas Garov, executive director of the Bulgarian branch of Colliers International, adding that outsourcing could become a major economic engine for Bulgaria.

Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries will continue to be among the leading global destinations for outsourcing services, according to the study. Their chief advantages are a combination of skilled staff, excellent foreign language training, know-how, cultural proximity and tolerance.