The research firm Ovum reported that outsourcing firms are watchful of expanding by next year, given the possible risks and low demand from major markets. At present, there are about 800 BPO firms with 630,000 workers in the country.

More than 100 countries around the globe are assessing the capability of the Philippines in providing high quality and inexpensive IT and BPO services. Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) representative stated that some of the BPO players such as Malaysia, Singapore and China plan to steal the BPO market in the country. According to BPAP head of research and industry veteran Gigi Virata, the Philippines should compete with other BPO players in providing higher-value services. In a survey, the country recently achieved the rank 1 as call center service provider. Further, the country must offer more complex services to sustain the growth of its market. Service offerings may include back-office functions like accounting and human resource management. BPO players in the country gain more clients because of the following corporate practices: English proficiency of our Filipino call center agents; continuous upgrading of BPO systems which led to more innovative customer services; and established linkages with international organizations, one of which is a vie from International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Clients from European Union demand these types of corporate practices. BPO companies retain their best talent and advise them to be more productive, this will help them reduce salary costs. [via business.inquirer.net]