A top legal expert on outsourcing is setting up a think-tank that will seek to replicate the Bangalore model of information technology activity in Scotland to attract global business.


Called 'Scottish Bangalore', expert Andrew Rigby believes that Scotland could build on its strengths in call centres and financial services, and replicate Bangalore's prosperity based on outsourcing by global companies.


Rigby is bringing together Scottish government officials, economic development and inward investment agency executives and leading business figures to bring a coordinated approach to the enterprise.


"Leaders across the political spectrum have been supportive of my moves," he told The Herald.


Rigby believes that while Scotland is recognised as a significant player in the call centre industry, it must move up the value chain and become a major player in the global "business process outsourcing" and even more sophisticated "knowledge process outsourcing" arenas.


Scotland, he said, must persuade big global providers of outsourced services to set up base there and also encourage the development of home-grown players in this sector.


In this regard, he pointed to the decision of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) decision to locate in the English Midlands as a missed opportunity for Scotland.


TCS works in close collaboration with the Coventry-based Warwick Manufacturing Group led by Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya.