In collaboration with the Institution for a Global Society (IGS) and Indo-Pacific Advisory (IPA), Quess Corp, via its fully-owned subsidiary Quess International Services, is creating an Indo-Japan GCC corridor that focuses on industries such as AI, banking, cybersecurity, engineering, and digital transformation.
Lohit Bhatia, Executive Director and Group CEO of Quess Corp, stated, “The Japanese government has released a comprehensive report on talent shortages, highlighting that in the next four years, there will be a deficit of about 790,000 skilled technology professionals. Coupled with India being the largest market for technology talent, both in quality and quantity, and the third-largest for AI services, this presents a unique opportunity.”
Quess, IGS, and IPA have initiated the process of identifying 50-100 potential Japanese firms across various sectors including heavy engineering, renewable energy, banking, and design and development that could either set up or expand GCC operations in India. This initiative entails evaluating their talent needs and exploring how India can facilitate their growth objectives.
Quess is poised to play a crucial role in sourcing talent, mobility, and placement, while also tapping into the group’s expertise in infrastructure management and support services. The partnership aims to help Japanese companies leverage India’s talent pool and operational capacities more efficiently.
The current financial year will be dedicated to laying the groundwork by identifying clients, mapping skill requirements, and assessing which regions in India can support GCC operations for these firms, according to Bhatia.
Revenue from the subsidiary is anticipated to start generating returns from the next financial year, eventually merging into Quess’s professional services division—a segment that currently contributes 30% to the company’s profit pool with an EBITDA margin of roughly 12% (EBITDA margin measures operating profit as a percentage of revenue).
Bhatia noted that Japan is the inaugural corridor among five identified by Quess, part of a strategic initiative to enhance the percentage of revenue earned in foreign currency, which currently stands at around 7-8% of the total, over the next four to five years.
Regarding broader near-term hiring, Bhatia mentioned that Quess currently collaborates with 276 to 280 clients across its recruitment, staffing, and outsourcing divisions, in contrast to a market comprising 2,100 GCCs in India—indicating substantial potential for growth, even to capture half that market.
He further added that India welcomed approximately 100 new GCCs last year, and Quess’s technology staffing unit alone secured 68 new clients during the same timeframe, with this year’s client acquisition rate exceeding that of the previous year.
For the entire discussion, watch the accompanying video
For the entire discussion, watch the accompanying video
