2008-11-13 14:31:43 - DAVAO CITY. RP to attract more BPO firms despite global crisis

By Aurelio A. Pena

Despite the global economic crisis, the Philippines call center industry is still optimistic more US companies will continue to look for cheaper places in the world to set up their business process outsourcing (BPO) operations, according to Rose Kwan, special events chairman of the Center for International Trade Exhibits and Mission (CITEM), a division of the Department of Trade and

Industry (DTI).

MORE PHILIPPINES NEWS: www.balitapinoy.net

"A lot of American companies will be forced by the crisis to cut down on production costs like manpower and rentals to survive, so this will make it profitable for them to move their businesses to countries like the Philippines," Kwan told reporters here.

Kwan is leading a CITEM team nationwide to drum up the coming 9th E-Services Global Sourcing and Exhibition on February 9-10, 2009 at the SM Megamall Convention Hall, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila. This global event will be preceded by road shows in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Baguio, Bacolod and Subic this month and December this year.

"Our contacts in the BPO industry are telling me that the impact of the global recession will be much lesser with them because that's precisely why US companies relocated here -- to cut down costs and widen their profit margin," Kwan said.

More than 2,000 industry leaders and top executives of various BPO and ICT firms are expected to converge during this annual global event next year. Around 200 local and international BPO-ICT firms will set up booths to make their presence felt, seek new business and sign up new ventures and contracts with clients and suppliers worldwide.

Last year, the event drew nearly 42 million US dollars worth of sales deals and new contracts and attracted ICT companies from the US, Japan, Canada, China, Romania and India.

DTI regional acting director Marizon Loreto said more and more global BPO companies are now recognizing the advantages of moving their operations to the Philippines.

"We have the infrastructure in place, we have a rich source of skilled manpower and friendly local governments are ready to help and support these investors," Loreto said.