Gov’t urged to explore other outsourcing job markets

The Philippines should start exploring alternative countries in need of outsourcing instead of just concentrating on the US.

Participants to a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) sponsored "e-Services: Japan Forum" yesterday warned that just like in the "gold rush days of the US" some call center operators and business process outsourcers are likely to strike out because the English-speaking market is already saturated with providers.

Thus, countries like the Philippines should shift their sights to other markets like Japan.

However, tapping the Japanese outsourcing market, the Japanese participants, warned is hard because it poses a big barrier in terms of language and cultural differences.

The Philippines also faces formidable competition for other countries such as India and China which are keen to service the lucrative Japanese market.

The Philippines, the Japanese participants said, must make an effort to invest in teaching the Japanese language or Nihonggo since most Japanese firms feel that knowledge of their language is more important than technical skill.

India and China, the Japanese participants said, have ensured that they have a pool of Nihonggo-speaking call center operators.