The Philippines bagged the Best Offshoring Destination of the Year Award for 2009 for its world class BPO sector. The award was bestowed to the Philippines by the United Kingdom's National Outsourcing Association.

“The award highlights the tremendous achievement of the BPO industry which was attained in a very short time,” Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila as he expressed gratitude to UK’s National Outsourcing Association for recognizing. Favila said the award is a testament of the country’s healthy economic environment that attracts foreign business to locate their operations in the country. This is the second time that the Philippines won the award.

The first time the Philippines received the award was in 2007. Big foreign firms in the call center industry have been instrumental in bringing prestige to the country as a destination for offshore services.

We see the award as a big boost to BPO industry in marketing their services not only in UK but to the rest of the western world and developed countries.

The award only confirms our positive forecast for the IT/BPO industry which is projected to post US$13 billion in revenue and employ close to one million workers by 2010, Secretary Favila said.

The Best Offshoring Destination Award was given during the 6th Annual National Outsourcing Destination Awards held at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel in Central London last October 15, 2009. The Philippines bested four other shortlisted countries namely: Egypt, Russia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. The countries were adjudged based on criteria covering country advantages and appeal to UK companies, level of market penetration in the UK and areas of outsourcing available in the country.

The National Outsourcing Association is the recognized industry association for the outsourcing industry in the United Kingdom.

The Philippine outsourcing industry offers a wide range of services to companies that include not only traditional voice and IT services but also higher value services such as finance, animation, engineering, medical transcription and architectural services.

Favila added that the advance of the BPO industry has a multiplier effect since its development also brings business to the real estate and telecommunication industries.
Moreover, Favila said that the outsourcing sector had advanced because of the country’s proficient English speaking workforce, and the telecommunication and real estate industries offering world class services.

“These sectors mutually benefit from each other’s growth and development. We hope to win the award again next year and encourage sector to continue in its growth path," Favila said.