CCCI to push technopreneurship this year

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) will take another dimension in the development of the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sector in Cebu by teaching entrepreneurs to take advantage of the industry, which is described as one of the primary economic drivers this year.

CCCI president Samuel Chioson announced that in this year’s Cebu Business Month (CBM), the chamber is going to formally organize an “ICT Technopreneur Community,” so that Cebuano capitalists will be able to set up their own outsourcing companies, developing strong local outsourcing firms.

Details of the program, however is still on the drawing board, Chioson said. But, aside from its active stance to keep the dynamism of the tourism sector, programs towards strengthening the BPO sector is one of the primary focuses.

According to Chioson, there are a lot of Cebuano businessmen who are willing and are interested to venture into the outsourcing business, but most of them—do not know how to start, or even market their planned services.

“We want to take advantage of the robust growth of the BPO sector,” Chioson said adding that while multinational companies are establishing their facilities here providing employment, some local businessmen are also interested to take part in the ICT sector.

Although, there are a few number of Cebuano businessmen who are operating small BPO or outsourcing companies here, Chioson said the chamber is trying to strengthen the local outsourcing industry.

“We are trying to develop the local outsourcing sector, and create guidance for techno-preneurs how to take advantage of this emerging and promising business,” Chioson said.

 The chamber’s advocacy to establish a good community of venture capitalists is also part of the agenda on this program, he added.

According to Chioson, the chamber will still push its three flagship sectors during the CBM 2011 these are the tourism, BPO and Entrepreneurship.

Although, techno-prenuership has been already part of the previous CBM programs, in IT/BPO segments. This time, Chioson said businessmen will be able to see the potential of BPO or outsourcing business as a business.

He reiterated that it is good for Cebu local capitalists to take advantage of the profitable business in outsourcing, adding that while tourism offers good business opportunities in 2011, so with the outsourcing sector.

However, because outsourcing requires technical and a bit complicated business style, Chioson said interested entrepreneurs will be given a glimpse of how to start an outsourcing business during one of the sessions in the upcoming CBM 2011. (FREEMAN)