7:00-8:00 AM

Registration and Breakfast

8:00-8:10 AM

8:10-8:20 AM

8:20-8:40 AM

Presentation: Getting down to business: A closer look at cost and competitiveness
The Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) announced that the industry ended 2011 with US$11 billion in revenues, 24% higher than in 2010, and employed 638,000, or 22% more employees. Robust growth is expected to continue as demand in voice and non-voice sectors alike increases. But while revenues are growing, are costs as well? How do Philippine IT-BPO firms and GICs view the cost of doing business in the Philippines? What are the key cost factors for companies that are entering the market or expanding operations and services? What are the average operating costs based on sector and location? How does the Philippine IT-BPO industry compare with competing global centers in terms of the cost of doing business?

8:40-9:00 AM

Presentation: Philippine Economic Forecast
Key to attracting investment is a strong economic performance and growth forecast. What are the real growth prospects for the Philippines and how can it maintain its competitive edge in attracting IT-BPO investment? Industry developments show that business locations cannot rely on labor cost advantage alone. Generating value is critical. But so is controlling spiralling costs of doing business. According to KPMG’s Competitive Alternatives 2012 study, the labor cost advantages of high-growth markets such as Brazil, China, and India are eroding because of the high rates of wage inflation, with innovation shifting from low-cost process efficiency to higher value product innovation. Can the Philippine IT-BPO industry innovate to succeed? Can government move effectively to do its part to keep costs in check?

9:00-9:20 AM

Presentation: Driving Cost Efficiency, Maximizing Profitability
Keynote presentation
How are IT-BPO and GIC industry players globally managing costs and enhancing overall competitiveness? Are organizations more focusedon controlling coststhan innovating to sustain margins? How good are they at it? Has the IT-BPO industry adopted a mind-set for continual innovation, embracing productivity- and efficiency-enhancingprocess and service innovation? What are they?Can super-hyped, new technologies such as “the cloud” providebreakthroughs that both lower costs and increase flexibility?

9:20-10:05 AM

10:05-10:50 AM

Panel Discussion: Industry and Government Perspective
With IT-BPO among the top 10 government priorities, what are local or city governments doing to ensure that current and new investors enjoy business cost advantage? How are business districts positioning and distinguishing themselves within the Philippines and among other competing global IT-BPO and GIC services centers? Are they prepared to introduce new, innovative incentives to sustain employment generation and expansion of the income tax base?

10:50-11:00 AM