Accenture opens Cebu operations

Global management, consulting, technology services and consulting company Accenture opened multi-million dollar office in Cebu, its first outside of Metro Manila.

Accenture country managing director Beth G. Lui said the move to Cebu is in line with the company's objective to find another source of talent.

“Cebu and the Visayas region provide the combined strengths of a skilled workforce and business-friendly environment,” Lui said.

In spite of this, Lui cleared that the company, which started in the Philippines back in the 80's, will still grow in Metro Manila.

Lui said she expects Accenture to post strong growth in the next few years. At the start, the Cebu operations will employ 500 individuals. However, Lui is confident the local operations of the company will grow within 12 months.

Lui said software development will be the primary service offered in the Cebu branch but in time it will include voice and data BPO depending on the demand of the global firm's clients.

The Cebu facility will initially provide application management, systems development and other services to clients on an outsourced basis. It will also initially service clients from different industries.

“This (Cebu branch) is a small replica of our Manila service center but in the long run we may find that Cebu market has a wide niche,” she explained.

When asked if there are plans to extend Accenture operations in other parts of the country, Lui said they will concentrate in Cebu first. “It will be a couple of years before we decide in another city,” she said.

For his part, Keith Haviland lead delivery center for technology of Accenture said the Philippines is the second largest delivery center of the company in the world with India being the first.

“Obviously Philippines is very important to us,” Haviland said.

According to him, the Philippines is a key part of Accenture's network. “It is the engine of growth in our delivery network,” he stressed.