President Gloria Arroyo said here Thursday the Philippines’ business process outsourcing industry could match India’s $9-billion market this year, with employment in the sector projected to reach 550,000 by December.

“From scratch, with only 2,000 workers before I became President, we have now created a global powerhouse of our BPO industry,” Mrs. Arroyo said in a chance interview during her visit to the Qualfon Contact Services in Lahug.

“We have achieved this by investing in digital infrastructure, formulating appropriate policy, creating the legal environment, and developing human capital.” she said.

The BPO sector made only $24 million in 2001, but last year it earned $7.3 billion. Read more...

By Joyce Pangco Pañares (www.manilastandardtoday.com)