ICT-BPO sector highlighted in Singapore trade mission

THE private group behind the speedy development of the information and communications technology and business process outsourcing (ICT-BPO) industry in Davao City made another strategic move to boost the industry in Davao City by embarking on a trade mission to Singapore.

Davao City Investment Promotions Center (DCIPC) chief Jason Magnaye said a group of 32 members left for Singapore last Wednesday for the four-day Davao Tourism, Trade and Investment Mission. One of the industries that will be highlighted is the ICT-BPO, alongside with agri-business, tourism and property development.

The inclusion of the ICT-BPO sector in the business mission manifests the efforts of ICT-Davao in attracting more investments for the city, especially in the Singaporean mission where they can bring home more opportunities, or better yet new investors for the industry.

Having a plethora of capable workforce, Magnaye said ICT-Davao is eyeing for possible partnerships with Singaporean firms in an attempt to outsource potential talents from the in Davao and make the city a preferred destination for these companies.

The ICT-BPO sector employs thousands of workers to different companies in the city and that the availability of the workforce is a great boon to the industry.

By yearend, at least 16,000 workers are expected to be employed in local IT firms, especially in contact centers which account about 80 percent of the total job requirement of the entire industry.

"Business-to-business meeting will also be held in cooperation with Singapore-based travel and tourism industry players. The delegates will also be meeting with officials of the Philippine Embassy in Singapore who organized the business meetings of the other industries," Magnaye said in a statement.

Meanwhile, ICT-Davao president Lizabel Holganza said the industry growth enjoyed a great run over in the past three years. Employment growth also posted a high record of 51.5 percent from 2008 to 2011 and is foreseen to grow by 30 percent or higher by the end of 2012.

"Locators bring in investments and investments mean jobs will be generated resulting to increased purchasing power of the workforce thus enhancing the quality of life. These jobs that are created by locators require competency development and with proper bridging skills the ability of labor force to compete with other locations is enhanced," she said.

Holganza said the real challenge lied in developing the local workforce so that the city can produce a talent who is "ready now and not ready-later."

"We need to bring up levels of English proficiency and customer service," she said.