Narciso Reyes, who was hired by the company in late 2012, will head up Google’s first representative office in the Philippines. The California-based firm now has five offices in Southeast Asia, with the others in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Google sees the Philippines as a key market in the region and one with notable growth potential, thanks to its relatively low but burgeoning internet use.
Google has made clear its aim better to meet the needs of its customers in the Philippines and said its offices in the city will help considerably to that end. A statement from the company explained that dozens of new recruits will be added to Google’s workforce in Manila over the coming weeks and months.
“The Philippines is a key country in Southeast Asia in terms of its digital economy and tech-savvy population,” said Julian Persaud, Google’s managing director. “This new office will allow us to better engage with our local users, partners and advertisers,” he said.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that Google has acquired a development site near Kings Cross in central London where it intends to build a new British headquarters. The purchase cost the company a reported £1 billion, and plans are in place for seven and an 11-storey building at the site.
Google’s central London-based staff currently operate from two separate offices in Victoria and Holborn, respectively.