MANILA, Philippines -- Software maker Autodesk is counting on the global infrastructure boom in getting more business out of local companies that provide outsourced engineering and design services.

Autodesk is more famous for its AutoCAD software, computer-aided design tools used in architecture and graphics design.

Teddy Tiu, Autodesk Philippines country manager, noted that local companies that provide these types of services are thriving due to demand from both the local and overseas markets.

He mentioned the Middle East, in particular the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, has been a major market due to massive infrastructure growth.

"Instead of subcontracting work, some local firms are the principal contractors themselves and earn as much as $25 million in contracts," Tiu said in an interview.

Locally, Tiu likewise noted a boom in the real estate and property market. Citing regional market figures from BCI Asia, he forecasted a 70-percent growth in the number of new office buildings under construction in 2008.

Also, the number of hotels under construction this year is forecasted to increase by as much as 80 percent from last year, making the Philippines one of the high growth areas among Southeast Asian countries.

"Instead of five major players before, there are now hundreds of developers in the market," Tiu said.

He likewise cited the Philippines as a strategic market -- both for third-party service providers and "captive" players that set up shop locally -- due to the availability of skilled workers.

Reem Emirates Aluminum, a company based in Abu Dhabi (also in UAE), recently announced it is setting up an outsourced design facility in the Philippines.

"In developing countries, buildings are being repaired and updated while in emerging countries like China, for example, there are even more new buildings being constructed as the economic boom continues," Tiu said.