US companies remain optimistic about investing in RP

WHILE reeling from the impact of the global financial crisis, the US envoy to Manila said American companies remain optimistic in their investments in the Philippines, particularly in the business-process outsourcing (BPOs).

President Arroyo led the inauguration of the Convergys Corp.’s new facility in Glorietta 5 mall in Makati City, which is expected to house 3,000 employees within the year.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney said the continuing expansion of the Convergys facilities reflects the confidence of US companies in their investments in the Philippines.

“It’s a sign of confidence of the US in the Philippines because of the quality of work force. We also have great confidence in the Philippines’ ability to support these kinds of investments [referring to BPOs] through enough facilities and infrastructure, as well,” Kenney said.

Kenney said Convergys remains to be one of the largest American employers in the country with 18,000 Filipino employees in all its facilities.

Marife Zamora, vice president and country manager of Convergys Philippines, said the company’s facility in Glorietta 5 is so far the biggest among its facilities in the world.

The firm continues to expand its other facilities by putting additional floors in its SM San Lazaro and UP Techno-Hub to accommodate increasing employees.

Despite the economic downturn, the BPO sector remained resilient, said Zamora, and even absorbed displaced workers in the manufacturing companies.

She said 2009 has been “a banner year for Convergys” with the opening of new facilities and hiring of 4,000 new employees within the year.

“Our facility in New Valley in Santa Rosa even hired a number of employees displaced in nearby factories,” said Zamora.

Clark Handy, senior vice president of human resources, said despite the crisis that hit hard most of the US companies, Convergys has been able to retain most of its clients.

Convergys currently caters to 27 of the Fortune 500 companies. Their clients include a wide variety of industries, including financial services, telecommunications, information technology, pharmaceuticals, retail and e-commerce and direct response.

Handy said the biggest advantage of Convergys in the Philippines is the availability and high quality of the potential employee pool. “The employees here are well-educated, English-proficient and have a strong understanding of the US culture as well.”