Startups upbeat on ICT ranking

Startup stakeholders have expressed confidence that the Philippines will improve its ICT industry performance as emphasis shifts to digital innovation instead merely focusing on call centers.

The world economy now gives primary importance to digital innovation. The recent Tholons Services Globalization Index (TSGI) 2017 (Global Outsourcing Index) tell us we are on the right track, said stakeholders of the Philippine startup community during a press conference in Manila on Tuesday.

“For the first time, Tholons introduced digital innovation, startup ecosystem, and digital transformation as primary measures in determining top cities for outsourcing. In its latest list Manila fell from number two to four as top global outsourcing destination. Cebu fell from the top 10 to number 12,” said Tina Amper of TechTalks.ph.

However, we expect that our standing will improve next year, as we currently have many programs in place to spur growth in startups such as this event Geeks On A Beach (Goab) supported by the Department of ICT, along with seedPH, DigitalPH and the Digital Cities initiatives (formerly Next Wave Cities), said DICT Undersecretary Mon Ibrahim.

Goab 2017 in Palawan

Other government agencies are also ramping up their own programs.

Other world-class cities have levelled up to spawning local startups and attracting global digital businesses that make them centers for innovation. These digital businesses are the ones that avail of increasingly high-tech outsourcing services.

“Call centers will still be there although worldclass digital businesses will look at the whole digital ecosystem. This means the physical and digital infrastructure, the legislative framework, the manpower, and others,” Amper said.

TechTalks.ph has organized the annual Goab conference since 2013 to push for the development of the Philippine startup ecosystem.

This is the fifth year that the DICT is the co-organizer of Goab which will happen on Aug. 24 to 25, 2017 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.