IT-enabled services (ITES) veterans have founded a firm to provide services to ITES providers, investors, and support industries in the Philippines and to market the Philippines' attractive investment climate. The founders have strong track records in ITES investment and management and country and place marketing. Manila, Philippines (PRWEB) January 6, 2005 -- Two long-time outsourcing and technology veterans announced that they have formed a new venture to provide high-value consulting services and to market the Philippines as a key investment location for IT-enabled services (ITES). Dubbed Outsource2Philippines.com, the for-profit firm will launch a suite of services targeting ITES providers, investors, and support industries this month. Frank Holz, a former Accenture partner and a pioneer in the development of the shared services sector in the Philippines, and Michael Alan Hamlin, managing director of TeamAsia, said Outsource2Philippines.com will aggressively promote the Philippines as a premiere outsourcing destination. The firm also intends to commission and conduct industry studies relevant to the ITES sectors, surveys, and case studies of successful outsourcing initiatives. According to Holz, the firm’s services will include feasibility studies, project management, matching with local partners, and assistance in mergers and acquisitions. “We are constantly receiving requests for information and assistance,” Holz said of the partners’ motivation in setting up the firm. “It was clear to us and others that a vacuum exists that needs to be filled in order to further accelerate ITES growth in this country, and to make the Philippines a truly respected and strategic outsourcing destination for companies all over the world.” Holz, who will serve the firm as its CEO, has successfully undertaken similar work in the past. He was one the key industry partners responsible for developing and marketing Accenture’s Global Resource Center in Manila, which develops software and other technology-driven solutions for Accenture clients the world over. That center alone currently employs approximately 4,000 ITES specialists and administrative staff, and has been a pioneer in software development and shared services outsourcing in the Philippines. Like Holz, Hamlin has worked extensively in the IT and ITES sectors in a marketing and communications role. As a member of the Business Development Committee of the Information Technology and E-Commerce Council he developed a strategic communication program for the Philippines’ ITES sectors, and he currently assists the Center for International Trade Expositions and Meetings (CITEM) in the promotion of the annual e-Services conference and exhibition. Hamlin is also an author and has written extensively on country marketing. Holz said the company is presently in discussions with prospective investors in the United States and Asia. “We’re doing this in response to very encouraging demand from potential investors and locators,” he explained. As awareness of the Philippines’ receptive investment climate and ITES expertise increases, we anticipate high demand for our services.” According to Holz, both current and prospective investors frequently complain that while the Philippines is now on the outsourcing map, not enough is being done to generate a more positive image compared to rivals such as India and China. “The reason the Philippines doesn’t have a stronger brand are many,” Holz said. “First, it hasn’t had the resources its neighbors have to market themselves. Second, there has been no private-sector led initiative to effectively complement government initiatives,” he explained. Outsource2Philippines.com was formed to fill this gap, according to Holz. “We hope to help fill that vacuum, and are excited about the opportunity to do so. We anticipate working closely with the recently formed Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPA/P), the Department of Trade & Industry, the Commission on Information and Communications Technology and other relevant government agencies in support of their programs and initiatives. “The Philippines is a great place to invest, and more people should understand why,” Holz said.