P-Noy says ICT brings more jobs, sustains economy

MANILA, Philippines –  The information and communications technology (ICT) industry helps government bring more jobs and opportunities to Filipinos whose lives also improve with more access to technology, President Aquino said at the formal opening of an industry-led ICT exhibition in Pasay City last Thursday.

In his message to the Computer Manufacturers, Distributors and Dealers Association of the Philippines (COMDDAP) through Trade and Industry Undersecretary for International Trade Adrian S. Cristobal Jr., the President also outlined his government’s commitment to remain competitive in the ICT and BPO markets to sustain the economy.

COMDDAP is a pioneering non-stock, non-profit trade group with leading IT players as members whose annual four-day exhibition is the country’s longest-running IT event. COMDDAP Expo Manila 2010 runs until today at SMX Convention Center in Mall of Asia Complex.

“Our BPO and ICT industry is experiencing continuous and remarkable growth,” Mr. Aquino said.

He said the country is now the third leading player in the global BPO market with both IT and BPO revenues reaching $7.3 billion in 2009 or a 20 percent improvement despite the global crisis.

“Over the years, we have pursued policies that strengthen our investment potential,” Mr. Aquino said.

Among his government efforts include improving digital infrastructure and connectivity all over the country, introducing policies for appropriate legal and business environment within the ICT framework and developing highly skilled human capital.

The President also cited meaningful partnerships to advance the ICT industry among ICT associations, the academe and government in promoting the different sub-sectors of ICT and BPO such as animation, game and content development and other IT or IT-enabled services.

He commended COMDDAP as among those associations which, for more than two decades now, has gathered IT distributors and consumers alike to update the public on latest innovations in the IT sector.

“As we anticipate global economic expansion following the most recent global downturn, today’s COMDDAP Expo provides one of the perfect venues to effectively make technology more accessible to our increasingly global-minded countrymen,” he said.

According to International Telecommunications Union, a UN agency for ICT issues, 90 percent of the world’s population now has access to mobile networks. By end of 2010, there will be over two billion Internet users worldwide with 1.2 billion coming from developing countries like the Philippines.