Philippine business delegation to showcase a range of ICT offerings at CommunicAsia 2013

(Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, June 17, 2013) — Top players from the Philippine information and communications technology (ICT) and business process management (BPM) industry are set to converge at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, on June 18-21 to participate in CommunicAsia 2013, touted as Asia’s largest integrated information and communications technology event.

For the 10th consecutive year, a business delegation from the Philippines, led by the Information and Communications Technology Office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ICTO), will take part in this notable event, now on its 24th year, to showcase the country’s comprehensive offerings and capabilities in areas such as IT and software development, mobile and web applications, cloud computing, M2M, mobile broadband, International Gateway Facility (IGF) services, firmware design, as well as business process management services.

Composing this year’s Philippine delegation are the country’s major telecommunications companies Bayan, Globe Telecom, and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT); with IT and BPM companies Advanced World Solutions, Celo Business Solutions, Equinox Virtual Solutions, Exist, Icon Interactive, iVentures, and Magellan Solutions Outsourcing. Also joining the delegation is the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), the umbrella association for the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industry in the Philippines, which has over 300 industry and support-industry members, including five partner associations.

The DOST-ICTO is the government arm tasked to lead government’s efforts toward the rapid development and improved global competitiveness of the country’s information and communications technology industry. Participating each year in CommunicAsia since 2004, DOST-ICTO considers it as one of its flagship events. “We are very happy to be taking part in this year’s event anew and lead a delegation of ICT companies and professionals from the Philippines,” says Undersecretary Louis Napoleon C. Casambre, Executive Director of ICTO.

The IT-BPM industry is one of the major economic drivers of the Philippines and is the country’s fastest-growing industry. In 2012, it generated US$13.2 billion revenues, posting a 19-percent increase from 2011, and created 137,066 net new jobs, which brings total employment in the industry to 776,794 at the end of 2012.

“The collaboration among the government, industry, and academe has helped sustain the growth of IT-BPM in the Philippines,” says Jose Mari Mercado, President and CEO of IBPAP. We’re focusing on quality talent and infrastructure development, and advanced technology adoption.”

Various programs have also been initiated by DOST-ICTO, together with industry associations such as IBPAP, in its bid to achieve the industry’s road map targets of 1.3 million employees and US$25 billion in revenues by 2016.

“The Philippines is currently implementing programs under the Philippine Digital Strategy, which envisions to drive further growth in the sector until 2016 through key initiatives and partnerships, as well as the adoption of new technologies which we hope to gain by participating in CommunicAsia,” adds Undersecretary Casambre.

About the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP)
The Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) is the enabling association for the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industry in the Philippines. IBPAP 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, Inc., 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—IBPAP plays a pivotal role in sustaining rapid growth of the IT-BPM industry by working to ensure an enduring supply of high-quality labor, supporting service innovation, and providing country visibility.

IBPAP 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 the Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO)
The Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) is a government agency under the policy, technical and administrative supervision of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). It is tasked to lead and harmonize initiatives on ICT using a multi-stakeholder approach. Its primary thrusts include ICT industry development, eGovernment, ICT policy development, Internet for all and Cybersecurity.

In the area of ICT industry development, the ICTO is tasked to formulate, recommend and implement an appropriate policy and program framework that will promote the rapid development and improved global competitiveness of the country’s ICT industry, including the IT-BPM industry. Towards this end, the ICTO implements and coordinates strategic and targeted programs in the areas of industry capability development, marketing and research, and workforce development for said industry. The programs will also support the national government’s objectives of sustained economic development through the generation of investments and creation of jobs from the ICT industry.