BPO firms in the Philippines are hiring new personnel on expectations of strong business growth from the United States and Europe, the Asian Times has reported.

Amongst the companies planning to expand are Convergys Corp, which plans to expand its 20,000 workforce by 6,000 employees this year and Stream Global Services which says it plans to add 5,000 workers this year.

With its English-speaking population and cultural affinity with the United States - the world's biggest off-shoring client - the Philippines accounts for between seven per cent and 15 per cent of the global BPO market. The country lags only India, which accounts for between 35 per cent -50 per cent of the global market.

Gigi Virata, information and research director of the Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP), explained: "The back-office and KPO sector has been growing at a faster rate than the voice-based sector and we believe this trend will continue."