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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- An Indian company is opening a 300-seat call center in Columbia.

WNS Limited said Tuesday it plans to open its first center in North America in July.

Officials say employees at the facility will handle calls related to a variety of industries, including finance, accounting, manufacturing and shipping.

WNS says it is hiring in several phases, beginning later this month. The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved a grant from the Governor's Closing Fund for $500,000 to help retrofit the building.

WNS employs more than 23,000 people in countries including India, Costa Rica and Sri Lanka.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)