Quote Originally Posted by Piamed View Post
I believe that politics is a key factor. For what ever reason, the governments in da Phils do not seem to want to encourage enterprise. The Philippines has so many advantages:

It has the largest English speaking population outside of the US. Did you know that the call centre industry was largely initiated in da Phils?

Natural resources

Excellent education

Tremendous work ethic. Ask anyone who employs Filipinos in the UK. My friend, a matron in B'ham Heartlands hospital, says she would swap 2 lazy British nurses for a Filipino one anyday.

I don't get it and have had many discussions about it. Anyone visiting da phils can see that people are enterprising. They have no choice. More wealth should be coming into the country to benefit the whole population. So why is it not the case?

Why is the goverment not encouraging the global players to manufacture and assemble there? The location is great, skills are available and the population generally speak English.
I think the answer to the question in general is corruption. I'm sure that if a global player as you put it, or even an enterprising small western company went there looking to set up business, the first government official they came into contact with would have his hand out for a bung and if the said bung was not forthcoming, nothing would get done.

I'm also pretty sure that if they paid the first bung, every other government official they came into contact with after that would follow suit and they'd soon give up trying.

Iain.