Apesoft to invest US$1mn in testing center

Peruvian software association Apesoft plans to invest US$1mn in a center for testing locally developed software, guaranteeing innovation and product quality in order to increase exports, Apesoft's new president Rolando Liendo told BNamericas. "Apesoft has developed a five-year plan to increase the competitiveness of Peruvian software. This center, which will start operations next July, is part of the project, with financing to come from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Peru's export promotion agency Prompex and Apesoft," Liendo said. Software exports are expected to reach US$5.5mn this first quarter, up 9% compared to the same period last year, and total exports are expected to reach nearly US$20mn during 2005. This growth is a result of better positioning of Peruvian companies in overseas markets because of international quality certifications such as ISO 9000. "Apesoft's plan also considers certification for 90 local companies in the capability maturity model integration (CMMi) assessment program. In two years we should have 10-15 companies certified compared to three firms at present, two are already certified and one is about to receive the certification," he added. Peruvian software companies have been exporting successfully to other Andean countries, particularly Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and Bolivia and also to Central America and Mexico, selling products like antivirus solutions, ERP systems and vertical market applications. Overall billing should reach US$80mn this year, "which is important for some sectors but not enough for the country to achieve technological development," he mentioned. "The software industry moves in two areas, as software developers and as a link for the productive sectors. For instance, in Peru agriculture and mining could grow even more if they implemented more technology," Liendo said. Liendo assumed the position of president nearly two weeks ago, replacing former president Guillermo Pacheco.