CANADA-BASED information communication technology and business process outsourcing (ICT-BPO) companies are looking at Davao City as prospective area for expansion, a Canadian diplomat said.
Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Neil Reeder, in an interview with reporters at the sidelines of the General Membership Meeting (GMM) of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (Cancham) Davao Chapter at Park Inn Hotel Davao last week, said many Canadian ICT-BPO companies are looking into expanding their presence in the Philippines.
He said ICT-BPO companies are now going beyond Manila and Cebu and are now looking at the potential of Davao City as the next ICT-BPO hub in the Philippines.
"That is one sector that Davao City has a lot to offer in terms of a good stable work force and a good working environment," Reeder said, adding that their expansion would mean more jobs more Dabawenyos.
During his message at the GMM, Reeder said there are now a couple of Canadian ICT-BPO companies who are now present in the country.
For instance, Canadian insurance company Manulife opened its new BPO office in Mactan, Cebu last year. Canada's largest software company Aquilini Group has also entered the country recently.
"Bombardier Aerospace, the world's third largest aircraft manufacturer, also has a major BPO operation in Cebu with over 200 employees. Telus, one of Canada's largest telecom companies, is a major BPO employer in the Philippines," Reeder said.
Earlier, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Regional Director Maria Lourdes D. Lim said more ICT-BPO firms are eyeing to establish branches or offices in the Davao Region with Davao City identified as one of the country's outstanding ICT-BPO destinations and a consistent Next Wave City.
She said there are four business process outsourcing (BPO) commpanies, with a combined 3,500 seats, are looking at Davao City for their expansion this year.
Aside from the new ICT-BPO companies, existing BPO companies like Sutherland Global Services and Convergy's are also expanding its operations in the city.