Source:  Business World, 02 April 2012

SWISS companies, known for their perfection and high technology standards in businesses are reportedly considering investing in the country’s mining, construction as well as human resource and finance services under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program.

Switzerland’s ambassador to the Philippines Ivo Sieber said more Swiss companies are also looking at business process outsourcing (BPO) services in the country which should encourage Filipino BPO call center agents to learn the country’s three major languages—French, German and Italian.

He said the successful BPO industry in the Philippines, now the world’s second-largest—is attracting Swiss companies to invest in the country, including those engaged in human resource and finance services.

“We are following developments in the PPP [program of the government] with interest,” said Sieber in a media briefing at the launch of the 150th year of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Switzerland. “What has to be done [by the government] is to put forward all the projects for bidding.”

He said two big construction firms in Switzerland are looking into potential partners for numerous infrastructure contracts in the Philippines.

Also, Switzerland’s huge cement firm Holcim is also looking at second-stage engagement in the infrastructure projects under the PPP program.

Rosario Cajucom, Chairman of the Philippines-Swiss Business Club,  said Philippine exports to Switzerland increased 180 per cent in 2010 due to the sound investment climate in the Philippines.

She said Swiss companies with long years of business in the Philippines such as Société Générale de Survéillance (SGS) and Nestlé with more than 60 years and 100 years of successful operations in the country, respectively, are looking at expanding.

Cajucom, who is the current SGS president and Chief Executive Officer said SGS and Nestlé are looking at establishing BPO services for their technical services and human resource and finance services respectively.

She said Zurich-based NavFix, a flight services company, has also invested in the Philippines while several Swiss mining investors are also seeking business engagement in the country.

He said President Aquino’s platform of governance and efforts to weed out corruption in the administration has been attracting Swiss investments.