Malta-based Swedish company Besedo, which provides customer support to on-line companies, including those in the gaming sector, is planning to double its workforce to 280 within a year, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was told today.

Jesper Lillieskold, CEO, told Dr Gonzi during a tour of the company's contact centre in Msida that the company, set up in Malta last year, was enjoying an increase in demand for its services.

"The first year of business has been extraordinary" Mr Lillieskold said.

"Flexibility by the employees and the company is the best word to describe our first year."

He said the company offers services in 14 languages and has clients in 11 countries. Its systems and methods are designed to handle large volumes of enquiries that are common within the internet and media business.

Besedo also has offices in Stockholm and Malaysia.

Dr Gonzi said Besedo was sending out a strong message of success despite international difficulties because of the economic scenario. This, he said, was not only about the success of the company, but also the success of the country, which was exploiting the elements which made it successful, including being a new member state and having proper political and economic strategies.

Mr Lillieskold said Besedo systems and methods were designed to handle large volumes of enquiries that were comon within the internet and media business.