Struggling Bulgaria pins hopes on IT outsourcing boom

[SOFIA] Excellent IT and language skills have helped Bulgaria's outsourcing sector boom, raising hopes that it could prop up the badly stagnating economy of the EU's poorest country.

After a timid start 15 years ago, the Balkan country is now a hub for information technology and back-office outsourcing.

As well as call centres, firms offering software and Web development, data services and technical support are attracting business from foreign companies finding it cheaper to sub-contract abroad.