BPAP and Outsource2Philippines to host CEO briefing on investor confidence, industry growth

(Manila, Philippines, November 28, 2012) — The Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) and Outsource2Philippines are  organizing a yearender CEO briefing entitled “Great Expectations: Strengthening Investor Confidence and IT-BPO Growth” to provide industry, analyst and government perspectives on how incentives, policy and regulatory developments are shaping the IT-BPO investment climate.

The briefing will take place on December 11, 2012, from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Makati Shangri-La (Rizal Ballroom A). BPAP senior executive director Gigi Virata will present the results of a recent BPAP-O2P survey about setting up and expanding operations in the Philippines.

Discussions will be led by distinguished speakers and panelists, including Raymond Lacdao, Executive Director, BPAP; Carlo José, President & Head of GSC Operations-Philippines, HSBC; James Donovan, Co-founder, President and CEO, ADEC Group; Luis Vistan, Vice President, Head of Corporate Treasury Sales, Deutsche Bank; Chris Moriarty, Managing Director and CEO, Flat Planet; Mary Harriet Abordo, Deputy Director General, Philippine Economic Zone Authority; Hon. Cristino Panlilio, Undersecretary for Trade and Investment Promotions, Department of Trade and Industry; Guillermo Luz, Private Sector Co-Chairman, National Competitiveness Council; and Atty. Jose Jesus Disini, Jr., Managing Partner, Disini & Disini Law Office. Jeff Williams, Co-founder and President of MediCall Philippines, Inc. and Chairman of the Healthcare Information Management Outsourcing Association of the Philippines, will moderate the panel.

Doing Business 2013, a study by World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), showed that the Philippines ranked 138 out of 185 economies surveyed, down from its global rank of 136 in 2012 and 134 in 2011. Despite efforts to curb corruption and implement tax incentives, the length of time and processes involved in establishing and doing business in the country remains complicated compared with neighbors such as Hong Kong SAR, China, and Singapore. Singapore has topped the global ranking for seven consecutive years in terms of trading across borders, construction permits, and protecting investors.

“The yearender CEO Briefing will provide insights on the ease of doing business in the country, business regulations and policies, and industry public-private partnerships,” said BPAP president and CEO Benedict Hernandez. “Developments such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s plan to implement electronic registration as well as the country’s improved tax policies have been welcomed by the business community. We will examine how these and other mechanisms impact investor confidence, particularly in the IT-BPO industry,” Hernandez said.

Panelists will also discuss the steps the industry must take as it moves toward its Road Map 2016 goals of 1.3 million direct jobs and US$25 billion in revenues.

After surpassing India in 2010 with over 525,000 employees and US$9 billion in revenues, the Philippine IT-BPO industry is now the number one provider of voice services, and second for non-voice, complex services. This year, revenues are expected to reach over US$13.4 billion, while 772,000 full-time employees will be part of the industry’s workforce, according to BPAP.

For more information about the BPAP-O2P CEO Briefing, visit www.teamasia.com/events/BPAP_Great-Expectations/default.aspx.

About the Business Processing Association of the Philippines
The Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) is the umbrella association for the IT-BPO and GIC (Global In-House Center) industry in the Philippines. BPAP serves as the one-stop information and advocacy gateway for the industry. With approximately 300 industry and support-industry members, including five associations—the Animation Council of the Philippines, Contact Center Association of the Philippines, Game Developers Association of the Philippines, Healthcare Information Management Outsourcing Association of the Philippines, and Philippine Software Industry Association—BPAP plays a pivotal role in sustaining rapid growth of the IT-BPO and GIC industry by working to ensure an enduring supply of high quality labor, supporting service innovation, and providing country visibility.

BPAP assists investors in setting up operations easily and quickly in the Philippines. Relevant research, introductions to key government and industry officials, and a series of briefings at each step of the investment process ensure a seamless development process. On-going support is provided through a wide variety of initiatives, including programs for HR development, business development, and on-going knowledge sharing and networking opportunities.

About Outsource2Philippines
Outsource2Philippines, Inc. (O2P) provides advisory services, research, and project management services to companies that outsource IT and business processes, develop and manage offshore shared services facilities, and supply infrastructure and services to the IT-BPO and GIC industry in the Philippines. It works closely with industry associations, government agencies, and client firms to gather industry intelligence, develop best management practices, and implement industry projects.

O2P provides a cost-effective, timely mechanism for companies to receive professional support in analyzing the suitability of outsourcing selected operations to the Philippines, and in implementing outsourcing programs. Together with the Everest Group, it played a role in the development of the Philippine IT-BPO Road Map 2016.

O2P’s experience in identifying highly professional and reliable Philippine IT-BPO vendors ensures their compliance with client requirements that will match the local vendor capability, and the provision of on-site managerial capability.