Phl software developers join Japan expo

CEBU, Philippines - Leaders in the country’s software sector, led by the Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA) are currently in Japan, to showcase capabilities and link partnerships with Japanese companies.

Players in the Philippines software industry will be in Tokyo, Japan to participate in the Software Development Expo (SODEC) from May 9-11 at the Tokyo International Convention Center.

PSIA President Nora K. Terrado will present the latest trends in the Philippine software development and services industry, highlighting industry growth figures and the capabilities of the Philippines especially as a mature and ideal partner to Japan.

The seminar will also feature a testimonial presentation by Fujitsu Ten Solutions Philippines former President Akira Ikezoe on his company’s experience working with Philippine software companies and IT professionals.

PSIA and four companies comprise this year’s delegation to Tokyo, namely Advanced World Systems, Alliance Software, Pointwest Technologies, and Tsukiden Global Solutions.

Other partners include BlastAsia, Imperium Technology, J-Sys Philippines, TopConnection.Asia, and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT).

PSIA’s participation is made possible with the support of the ASEAN-Japan Centre, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Japan, and the DOST-ICTO.

PSIA’s Japan Mission aims to raise awareness about software and ITO capabilities of the Philippines as well as services and products of PSIA member companies.

The Philippines has covered a lot of ground in terms of providing high-value software development and IT-related services to a wide number of Japan-based companies. The experience that the Philippines garnered over the years has helped improve the country’s reputation as a viable outsourcing hub for all types of software development among companies in Japan, hence this year’s theme to promote the “Philippines as Software Development and IT Outsourcing Global Gateway.”

Prior to the SODEC expo, the Philippine delegation will hold a Software & ITO Seminar and Networking Session on May 8 at the Philippine Embassy in Roppongi, Tokyo.

The event, which will gather more than 100 decision makers from Japan’s technology firms, aims to raise awareness about the Philippines as a software and ITO hub for Japanese requirements, and provide a networking venue between potential Japanese clients and providers from the Philippines. It also aims to build other forms of economic partnerships between the two countries.

Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel M. Lopez will give the welcome remarks at the seminar where he is expected to speak about the Filipino IT professional’s great talent and skill, creativity, dedication, and work ethic especially manifested at the aftermath of the March 2011 earthquake, the more reason that Japanese firms should look at the Philippines as global gateway with reliable business partners. This, and the Philippine beaches, shopping malls, and sports activities that come aplenty in this so-called heart of Asia, reiterating the tagline that "it's more fun in the Philippines”

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) Executive Director Louis Napoleon C. Casambre follows with an update on the Philippine IT-BPO Roadmap and the government’s growth programs for the IT sector. (FREEMAN)