Local technopreneurs told to level up for global arena

CEBU, Philippines - With its aim to promote Cebu as the leading information and communications technology and business process outsourcing (ICT-BPO) hub in the country, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) encourages local technopreneurs to develop their own businesses for the global market and stay competitive with foreign multinational companies present in the industry.

CCCI recently launched the Cebu Business Month 2013 that would highlight the fastest-growing priority sectors and economic pillars of the local economy such as tourism, ICT-BPO, entrepreneurship and creative industries.

CCCI president Lito Maderazo said that these industries are also considered as significant drivers of economic and social innovation among other sectors in the country taking into account their direct contribution to the Gross Domestic Product.

He said that the ICT-BPO industry, in particular, posted an annual growth rate of 200 percent from 2000 to 2013.

Meanwhile, ICT/BPO committee chair Wilfredo “Jun” Sa-a Jr. said that the local start-up community should be supported since the ICT-BPO industry is dominated by foreign multinational companies at present.

He added that the enabling environment for technopreneurship has not been taken advantaged by Filipinos but by international industry players.

He then noted that strategies to strengthen local technopreneurs, develop start-up companies and provide funding support, should be implemented to take the ICT-BPO industry to the next level.

He said that local entrepreneurs who have been successful in the country and abroad volunteer and initiate to mentor start-ups, thus increasing the confidence and competitiveness of technopreneurship in Cebu.

“There’s always competition for a cheaper location here in the country. The ICT-BPO industry actually contributes to the generation of employment and income among Filipinos but we cannot forever depend on bigger, international firms,” Sa-a said.

On June 4 to 5, the 2013 ICT and BPO Conference and Expo will be held at Radisson Blu Hotel that aims to gather top executives and stakeholders of the IT and BPO industry, ICT leaders, government and academe.

The Start Up Weekend Cebu, on the other hand, will be at the University of San Carlos - Talamban Campus from June 7 to 9.

According to CBM 2013 Overall Chair Melanie Ng, these activities are intended to intensify the application of new strategies, trends and operating models to match the market’s ever changing requirements.

She added that these will serve as a platform for stakeholders from the industry, academe, support groups, ICT councils, local government units and non-government organizations to network, interact and collaborate for the continuous growth and development of the industry.

She also said that they aim to integrate and involve the various stakeholders including government, private sector and educational institutions in ICT-BPO training programs to maintain a constant pool of skilled labor in the industry.

In line with the celebration of the chamber’s 110th anniversary this year, the month long event will run from June 1 to 28 with the theme Experience Cebu’s Creative Industries, ICT and BPO, Tourism and Entrepreneurship towards Powering Up for Global Business (Excite Cebu). /JOB (FREEMAN)