IT-BPM, manufacturing drive C. Visayas growth

CEBU CITY -- The information technology -- business process management (IT-BPM) and manufacturing sectors have continued to drive the Central Visayas region’s growth, creating more jobs and generating dollar earnings, a local economic official said.

Direct employment as of the first half of this year increased 35% to 65,303 in IT economic zones and grew 4% to 120,989 in manufacturing ecozones in the region.

Central Visayas, the fourth largest regional economy in the country which recorded 7.4% growth in gross regional domestic product (GRDP) in the first half, is composed of the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

Dionisio C. Ledres, Jr., assistant regional director of the National Economic and Development Authority, said in his presentation during a recent industry forum that Central Visayas region has proven to be among the attractive destinations for IT-BPM and manufacturing investments.

He noted that Cebu City, capital of Cebu province and the financial, commercial and transport hub of the region, is among the top 10 IT-BPM destinations in the country, next to Metro Manila, based on the Tholons annual list of top global IT-BPM destinations.

Citing Philippine Economic Zone Authority data, Mr. Ledres said the number of workers employed in IT parks and centers in the region has almost doubled to 65,303 as of June this year from 36,550 in 2011. IT-BPM exports have also increased to $608.17 million in 2013 from $398.49 million in 2011.

In manufacturing ecozones, employment has increased to 120,989 as of June from 103,593 in 2011. Exports from the ecozones, however, slowed down to $3.55 billion in 2013 from $3.62 billion in 2011.

Mr. Ledres also credited Tsuneishi Heavy Industries (Cebu), Inc. for its contribution to the regional economy and for making the country one of the biggest shipbuilding economies globally. Tsuneishi builds bulk vessels and employs about 13,000 skilled workers at its shipyard in Balamban town along Cebu’s western seaboard.

“Tsuneishi has built 190 ships since it started, including 20 ships this year. The company plans to make the Balamban facility the ‘mother shipyard’ in its Southeast Asian operations,” Mr. Ledres said. -- Marites S. Villamor

source:  Businessworld