Australia's Acquire BPO firm plans Philippine expansion 

As the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector continues to thrive in the Philippines, Australian-based Acquire BPO is setting its sights on expanding its presence in the country. According to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), nearly 800 BPO companies were registered in the Philippines as of 2022, employing approximately 1.57 million Filipinos.

Acquire BPO, which operates eight modern delivery centers in Metro Manila, is looking to further increase its footprint. Dana Andel, the country manager, revealed that the company is currently engaged in outsourcing bid offers as part of its expansion strategy. "We are talking to several companies from the United States and Australia. Various BPOs are visiting and making decisions based on what they see in the Philippines," Andel said.

The expansion plans of Acquire BPO come amid a strong trade and investment relationship between Australia and the Philippines, which has already seen the injection of around 250 Australian companies into the Philippine market, employing 44,000 Filipinos. In 2023, the two-way trade reached PHP378 billion, while two-way investments amounted to PHP321 billion.

In a related development, Austal Philippines, a subsidiary of Austal Ltd., is preparing to design and build a custom vessel for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Wayne Murray, president and general manager of Austal PH, discussed the project during an Australian Business Briefing. While no formal contracts have been finalized, Murray indicated that the company is working with a technical team to develop a vessel tailored to the needs of the PCG.

The vessel project aligns with the 2024 General Appropriations Act, which includes funding for three offshore patrol ships to enhance the PCG's capabilities in the West Philippine Sea. "Australians have expertise in water protection, and we are custom-designing this vessel to meet the specific requirements of the Philippines," Murray noted.