Philippines aims for high-value IT-BPM services amid U.S. policy shift
TAGUIG, PHILIPPINES — The Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) is intensifying efforts to position the country as a global leader in high-value IT-BPM services.
The IT-BPM body is evaluating its strategic plan because of changing United States policies, including the Trump administration’s protectionism, to maintain the Philippines’ flourishing outsourcing sector that produced $38 billion in revenue and employed 1.82 million people during the last year.
Repositioning the Philippines as a leader in high-value IT-BPM
IBPAP works to support U.S. companies since they constitute 70% of its client base while adapting to reshoring and nearshoring trends by targeting sectors such as banking and healthcare, together with financial services and digital transformation.
“A push for reshoring and nearshoring could impact the Philippines, making it imperative for IBPAP to double down repositioning the country as a global leader in high-value services such as banking, financial services, healthcare and digital transformation,” the organization stated.
Under the first Trump administration, offshoring slowed, with industry growth dipping from 12.3 percent in 2016 to 2.5 percent in 2017 and to 3.9 percent in 2018.
The president of IBPAP, Jack Madrid, stressed the need to conduct a mid-term evaluation of Roadmap 2028 to maintain sectoral development and bolster global business competitiveness.
Addressing industry challenges to sustain growth
IBPAP works to overcome the main business difficulties through multiple initiatives addressing skilled labor shortages and rising operating expenses while fighting global market competition.
They established advanced digital skill development programs for artificial intelligence, along with data analytics and programming, to resolve recruitment issues.
IBPAP recognizes that upskilling the workforce constitutes an essential method to fulfill developing requirements across valuable industry sectors.
Madrid stressed that “what got us to $38 billion in revenue and 1.82 million jobs may not get us to where we want to be,” emphasizing the need for adaptability and innovation.
IBPAP is also advocating for policy reforms and enhanced ease of doing business to maintain investor confidence.
By fostering innovation, IBPAP aims to solidify the Philippines’ position as a preferred outsourcing destination globally.
