Indian firms to hire 5,000 workers in Phl

MANILA, Philippines - Indian companies are keen on expanding operations in the Philippines and hiring around 5,000 Filipino workers in the information technology (IT) sector, Vice President Jejomar Binay said yesterday.

Binay, who met with executives of ESSAR group/AEGIS, HCL technologies Ltd., Syntel Inc., Infosys BPO Ltd., Tata Consultancy Services and Interglobe Technologies, earlier witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Business Process Outsourcing Association of the Philippines (BPOAP), the National Association of Software Services Company and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

He said that the government of India is willing to extend relief assistance to Filipino families affected by typhoon “Pablo.”

“The Indian ambassador to the Philippines manifested the Indian government’s commitment to assist the victims of typhoon Pablo, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed their desire to provide relief to those who suffered in the calamity,” said Binay, who just returned over the weekend from a short trip to India.

He also met with Myanmar President Thein Sein and the latter sought the assistance of the Philippines in agriculture development.

“Our Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) met with the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) on Dec. 20 at the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Commemorative summit,” Binay said.

He said the meeting focused on revitalizing Philippines-Myanmar business relations through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the PCCI and UMFCCI in the areas of agricultural development, particularly in rice technologies, bananas, and related areas.

Binay represented President Aquino at the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit and the 2nd ASEAN-India Business Fair and Conclave in New Delhi.

He said leaders of the ASEAN countries and India committed “to strengthen cooperation to ensure maritime security and freedom of navigation, and safety of sea lanes of communication for unfettered movement of trade in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS.”

“Negotiations of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement in services and investments were also concluded in New Delhi just in time for the commemorative summit,” Binay said.