IBPAP, SEIPI merge efforts to maximize growth

CEBU, Philippines — The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) and Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI) have joined hands to align priorities of maximizing both industries’ potential for growth.

“This historic collaboration marks a pivotal milestone in the Philippine business landscape, uniting the country’s leading commodity exporters in a strategic effort to bolster exports and propel the nation’s economic growth,” said SEIPI president Dan Lachica.

“The partnership is poised to harness the collective strengths of SEIPI and IBPAP, heralding a new era of innovation, efficiency, and global competitiveness for the Philippine export industry,” Lachica added.

The IBPAP and SEIPI signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in early October 2023. It is geared towards amplifying the positive impact of their respective sectors in driving economic progress, fostering innovation, and promoting Environmental, Social, and governance (ESG) initiatives in the country.

Outlined in the MOA are five key areas of cooperation to help accelerate the growth of both industries in the Philippines, these are:

* Ease of Doing Business - Create a more business-friendly environment through consistent engagement with the national and local governments and by advocating for policy reforms that simplify and streamline business processes for investors

* ESG Agenda -  Collaborate on initiatives that address current and emerging social, environmental, and corporate governance issues

* Industry Development - Foster higher-value Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services in the Semiconductor and Electronics sector for Research, Development and Integrated Circuit Design, and Investment Promotion.

* Job Creation - Attract and retain investors through comprehensive marketing and communication strategies, which enhance job opportunities

* Technology and AI - Leverage new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve the inventory of practices of both industries, encourage knowledge sharing, and implement projects to promote the use of other emerging tools.

“This reaffirms IBPAP’s commitment to drive the sustained growth of the IT-BPM sector, generate more employment opportunities for Filipinos, and enable our economy’s upward trajectory,” explained IBPAP president and chief executive officer (CEO) Jack Madrid

“Guided by the Philippine IT-BPM Industry Roadmap 2028 and in line with the IT-BPM ESG Program, we will continue to engage with our stakeholders in the government, academe, and allied sectors such as the Semiconductors and Electronics industry,” Madrid noted.

The IT-BPM sector and the Semiconductor and Electronics industry contribute significantly to the Philippine economy in terms of jobs and revenues.

Combined, they account for more than 20 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic product (GDP).

IBPAP is the primary trade body and advocacy group of the country’s agile, dynamic, and resilient IT and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector. Currently, the organization is composed of close to 400 members and six partner associations—the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI), Global In-House Center Council (GICC) Philippines, Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP), Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP), Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines (HIMAP), and the Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA).

SEIPI, on the other hand, is the leading organization of multinational and Filipino-owned semiconductor and electronics companies in the Philippines with 361 members, including manufacturing firms, allied and support industries, and the academe.

The Philippine semiconductor and electronics industry is a significant driver of the Philippine economy and the largest contributor to the country’s manufacturing sector. In 2022, the industry accounted for US$ 49.09 billion, or 62.27 percent of the country’s total commodity exports, and employs over three million direct and indirect workers. — (FREEMAN)