Government to court more investments in IT sector

The government will try to encourage more investments into the information technology (IT) and IT-related sector.

With IT and IT-related services accounting for P58.61 billion or 63.12 percent of total Board of Investments (BOI)-approved investments from January to September this year, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to embark on further IT missions to the United States and Europe this month and November.

BOI Executive Director Florina Vistal attributed the continued rise in Investments to the "upbeat outlook of both local and foreign investors on the country’s medium- and long-term economic recovery and growth prospects such as in the information and communications technology (ICT) Industry."

Thus, Vistal said the DTI, in partnership with the private sector, would continue to "pursue these opportunities" through IT missions to the US and Europe this month and next.

Vistal cautioned, that "despite the encouraging development in investment approvals, we should, however, not lose sight of the fact that there is a need for continuous development and more vigorous, if not creative collaborative effort, in order to ensure the continued competitiveness and success of investors already operating in the Philippines and of new projects."

Information technology, Vistal further said, "is the key to finding the country’s niche in the new economic order of the 21st century.

She pointed out that the Philippines has apparent advantages and has found success in e-services.

Vistal made these remarks during the formal launching of T Systems.

T Systems Philippines, formerly known as Debis IT Services Phils., is a spin-off company from Daimler Chrysler which started its operations for applications management, network and desktop services.

It provides IT consultancy services in the field of e-business and corporate strategy, innovation management, customer relations and supply chain management and ICT strategy and systems and infrastructure specifications.

T System has secured BOI registration on a pioneer status which entitles it to tax incentives.