PLDT partners with BOI, other gov’t agencies to push PH as APAC Hyperscaler Hub

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The Philippines’ largest fully integrated telecommunications company PLDT (PSE:TEL ; NYSE:PHI), through its B2B arm PLDT Enterprise, is closely collaborating with the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to support the priming of the country’s digital readiness in a multi-agency government initiative to attract global hyperscalers expanding in Asia.
 
In a virtual launch held recently, DTI and BOI announced the inclusion of hyperscalers as the sixth key sector under its “Make It Happen in the Philippines” (MIH) campaign, stressing various strategies to promote the Philippines as the next hyperscaler hub in the Asia Pacific.
 
Hyperscalers are global technology companies providing cloud and internet-based services, which require huge amounts of space, power and connectivity in regions they expand in, to allow rapid IT scaling that will support their massive customer base and user demand surges.
 
DTI Secretary and BOI Chairman Ramon Lopez highlighted the strong government and private sector partnership behind the campaign to cement the foundation of the Philippine digital economy.

“After being widely recognized as the outsourcing capital of the world, this is the natural next step for the Philippines, as our country now has all the necessary elements in place to make this happen. We have a thriving digital economy and a good economic profile. The digital readiness of our enterprises is helping propel our economic growth even further,” said Lopez.
 
In November last year, BOI launched its international investment campaign, “Make It Happen in the Philippines,” which targets inviting and enticing foreign investors to invest and conduct their business in the country. It initially emphasized five priority sectors which include automotive, aerospace, electronics, copper, and information technology and business process management.

ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head for PLDT and Smart Enterprise Business Groups Jovy I. Hernandez reiterated the PLDT Group’s resolve to boost the country’s digital infrastructure for global tech companies seeking for expansion amid the fast-growing demand for digital and data services. 
   
“In the midst of a digital revolution, we at the PLDT Group ensure our unbreakable support and commitment to help bring the Philippines’s digital infrastructure to the next level. With the private and public sectors’ cooperation in driving our digital ecosystems to greater heights, we are confident that we are ready to open up our country as the next destination for hyperscalers,” Hernandez said.

Joining DTI - BOI and PLDT Enterprise are the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and Meralco, which will aid the ramping up of programs demonstrating the country’s digital economy and infrastructure capabilities.

“The DICT expresses its utmost commitment to improving telecommunications and internet service in the country to create a more conducive and thriving business environment. This will allow our investors and telcos to take bold steps in providing internet connectivity and improving the quality of ICT services in the Philippines,” Honasan said.
 
Meanwhile, DOE Senior Undersecretary Jesus Cristino Posadas and Meralco Group Chief Sustainability Officer Raymond B. Ravelo expressed their equal participation in the initiative and discussed the sustainability and renewable energy investments of both public and private sector to cater to the hyperscaler market.