"We are aware of the cautious optimism prevailing in the business communities worldwide. However, the BPO and ICT achievements last year gave us a good head start to withstand the current economic challenges.In fact, Bloomberg recently cited the Philippines (together with China)as the most resilient economies in Asia amidst the global crisis,"shares DTI undersecretary Thomas Aquino.

Despite the industry-wide downsizing of operations, the ICT, BPO, and eServices remains a key factor in securing more opportunities for us, sustaining not just the country's current position as one of the preferred outsourcing and off shoring (O&O) destinations but even catching up to address upcoming demands in the service sector, supply chain, and creative e-services (particularly in game development).

"Considering the crisis that we are facing right now, we are still bullish that the BPO, ICT, and eServices will achieve 24% growth this year," said Lauro Vives, founding president and CEO of XMG Asia Pacific, a global ICT research and advisory company.

To achieve the desired growth,the BPO industry together with 140 company-exhibitors will host the E-Services Global Sourcing Conference and Exhibition on February 9th to 10th. "We want to make the Philippines an even more attractive investment and business location by providing a preview of the future ICT (in the light of current economic conditions), highlighting industry achievements for the past year, and outline what can be expected this year and beyond," explains Aquino.

Jonathan De Luzuriaga, executive director for Industry Affairs of BPA/P agrees."This year's eServices will be very important for the Philippine O&O industry as it will provide a venue for the world to see the new opportunities for coming and expanding operations in the country as we demonstrate how, as an industry, we are able to adopt global best practices, capture new trends and continuously improve on our capabilities."