FTA signing

[ted]

Japan, Philippines agree to aim for early signing of FTA (http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060216/kyodo/d8fq5a2o2.html)

[docomo]

As always, gagawin ang lahat para lang ma-please ang ibang country .. I hope the time comes when the country can bargain from a position of strength..lagi na lang losing end .It's always the scraps from the table for us..

..just imagine , why do we have to sign an agreement with someone just to attract their investors ? it's like offering your arm so they can get your other arm :)

[Dkid]

The bottomline here is "luring investors". And we are at the losing end. I can see the other end whistling a happy tune faning wads of bills, and probably thinking of how much is the multiplier.
Blind eyes are turned to a goldmine in the persons of OFWs! It should be them who could be lured as investors. Think of a rope, it's not that easy to cut!

Poor Philippines. We could have done better.
We might start changing the FTA to LTA?

[sultan]

I can understand the hesitation of Japan to sign the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), despite the fact that an agreement in principle has already been made more than a year ago.

For one, while Japan is interested to export more steel, cars and other hardware to the Philippines with the tariff reduction, our country is just bating its breath to ship out throngs of human flesh when Japan swings its door open to nurses and caregivers.

The worst that can happen to Japanese cars imported tax-free to our country is to be taken away by carjackers.

The worst that can happen to caregivers, once allowed into Japan for a fixed term, is to run away once they receive verbal abuse from their elderly wards.

Japanese cars have a good record, wherever they're shipped. Filipino tourists and entertainers in Japan do not have much record to boast of, with statistics of overstayers peaking at 200,000 at some point in time.

Can you blame Koizumi for taking too long to accept Arroyo's proposal? (In the past, some of our trade mission delegates to Japan, members of the press corps in particular, even made it to the headlines by running away.)

[Tonyang]

Guys and gals who are active in this thread...let's not just read..let's act on the possibilities. You and I are qualified as investors too to build more opportunities within the country.

FIs (foreign investments) are necessary to meet our unemployment problems and ready-made solution to have added revenues. But this is very temporary...

Why not really explore Overseas Filipino Investments? Dollars din dala natin di ba? Infact SMEs and microfinance levels are even alright... mas effective pa kailangan lang ng total structure talaga.

Point is... if our economic leaders will creative lucrative investment projects for OFWs, OFI (overseas Filipino investors) with their pooled savings. The pooled savings of OFIs are as equally comparable with that of the FIs. The only thing that is lacking is investment structure or the project itself.

Kasi the FIs have their structures already and they only need a place to position themselves.

Pero dito makikita iyung kahinaan ng sistema at creativity natin sa Pinas... we always say we have the best natural resources but we only articulate this. If it's a fact, research and development must be in full scale and thus, the government and private entities who want to attract OFIs must engage in a partnership with institutions in the Philippines to establish studies to create these lucrative investments.

In our small ways, with OFWs worldwide and cyber setup, we created 3 already with the model:

Expertise - university professors
Financing - Overseas Filipinos
Trustworthy Management - Local and deserving poor folks

1. OFW-IMC (www.ofwimc.com (http://www.ofwimc.com))

Expertise - Mindanao State University - Naawan
Financing - OFWs from Japan, MiddleEast, US, other Asian Countries, Europe (17 in all)
Trustworthy management - folks from Misamis Occidental
Product: Mudcrab then changed to siganid culture and growout

2. OFW-AFFRIE

Expertise - Davao del Norte College
Financing - OFWs from Japan, Kuwait and Qatar
Trustworthy Management - OFW Returnees Coop in Davao City
Product: Seaweeds

3. OFW-Aquamarine Group (www.ofw-agi.com (http://www.ofw-agi.com))

Expertise - Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology
Financing - OFWs from China, Taiwan, Japan and Saudi
Trustworthy Management - Teachers from the University
Product: Shrimp

Why did I write these? The solution is in our hands... let's not just read and comment... let's do something. That's the challenge.

All of us are earning yen here and if we could pool our funds together with trust and patience to work with each other from start to end... we could create our own enterprise and create employment.

FIs are not the only solutions... they are attractive now for the ready-made solutions and the trends. No haste to think further but the truth is... they could abandon us anytime and risk is higher. But with our own initiative to build from scratch a company, it will be one that will be dedicated for everyone. Di ba mas maganda?

But then again... baka mamatay itong thread na ito at matakot ang mga kasama ko rito sa challenge na ito ulit. Kindly ignore this message if you just want to discuss it. If you're ready to meet the challenge, pls let me know. Transparency and accountability... iyan ang isa pa nating patunayan. At... walang ningas cogon sa mga gustong makatrabaho ako folks. Modesty aside. Dahil pag sinimulan mo, dapat tuloy-tuloy iyan kahit bumagsak sa umpisa dahil ang risk sa startup ay malaki pero pag nalampasan mo, tuloy-tuloy ang pag-abante. Ooops baka wala na ngang sumali. Ok quiet muna ako.

[d_southpaw]

If we can do business in the Philippines, can't we do business here in Japan as well ?
Nandito rin lang tayo ?

Ano ang alam ninyong Filipino owned or Filipino lead companies here in Japan that
participates in other business segment than
1/ bank MB,PNB 2/ balikbayan box
3/ Filipino foods or restaurants 4/ dresses/clothes/accessories primarily targeting
the night working Filipinas)
5/ telecoms/prepaid cards/Filipino goods

Lahat ito Filipinos dito ang target market.

I only know of only one, which is Infini Solutions, which offer some web related services.
Although some of their other businesses are similar to above. There maybe a few others
that may be coming. One guy has a potentially lucrative business coming. I hope they will be
very successful.

There is 120 million Japanese, a good bulk of it have lots of money ready to be spent,
from the very young ones to the centarians.

Is there no business we can do with them ?

I know most of us are working ? Ever heard of the concept 'shuumatsu kigyou' ?

Then in a few/several years, if there are successful Filipino companies here, they can do
two things - 1/ businesses, taking advantage of high skills and good quality products
the Philippines can offer 2/ philanthropic activities that will have immediate and
wide effect. Maraming-marami naman kaseng mabubuting tao sa Pilipinas na
gustong tumulong. But finances is always a part of whatever good things they
can do.

[abakitba]

Trade openness (free trade) is a more trustworthy friend of the poor than protectionism...
if protectionism worked, Pinoys would have been rich (or less poor) a Long time ago.

We have permitted our govt to retain significantly higher import tariffs than rich countries...
this is why many of you buy products before going home to the Philippines, kasi mas mahal sa Pinas dahil sa tax, VAT or whatever you call it.
Tell me you like to buy the products in the Philippines because it is more expensive and it gives more money to the politicians to steal.

Domestic producers rely on their captive domestic market to keep them in business, so no need to make their products better or cheaper...
This is why Japanese rice is expensive... no need to compete with foreign rice from USA or Thailand.
This is why PAL is the most expensive way of flying to Manila.
This is why it is cheaper to call the USA compared to calling the Philippines.

[Tonyang]

There is, dsouthpaw. We should start naming these businesses now.

Abaktiba, please quote facts and references. I am interested to know your sources to come up with such an analysis.

[abakitba]

Abaktiba, please quote facts and references. I am interested to know your sources to come up with such an analysis.
Sorry I just made that up.
It's all lies... or is it? Would you like to dispute any of the points I mentioned?

[Tonyang]

Sorry I just made that up.
It's all lies... or is it? Would you like to dispute any of the points I mentioned?

Ok thanks Abaktiba.

[sultan]

tonyang, abakitba:

maybe we should redirect the discussion to the question of whether or not FTA or open trade is good for our country or not.

i do not see why we have to make a distinction between foreign investments and overseas filipino workers (ofw) investments, since both investments are sourced externally. we know that in the economic sense, more investment is good for our country since it will generate more employment, boost our foreign currency reserve, etc. the important question is: will both investments be favored by FTA or open trade?

it seems that abakitba is voting for fta. kung tayong mga pilipino, kasama na ang mga tf members, are accepted as world-class professionals, engineers, workers, students and housewives in japan and in other foreign lands, why should we be afraid of foreign competition that fta will usher?

magagaling ang pinoy di ba? sa competitive environment na katulad ng japan, us, europe, middle east, may mga umaangat at kinikilalang pinoy, bakit hindi natin buksan ang buong pilipinas sa kompetisyon upang lalong pag-igihin ng pinoy ang trabaho at hindi na maghihilahan pababa?

tama si abakitba, na masyadong mahal ang pal tiket--pang prime tourist destination--kaya hindi pa rin natin mapapantayan ang tourist traffic sa ibang asean countries. siguro kung open air at open trade talaga tayo, mas magiging cost-conscious tayo at maraming magbebenipisyo.

[Tonyang]

Sultan, saan magaling ang mga Pilipino? Sa trabaho o sa pagbuo ng business o paghahanap ng investors? Anong punto mo kapatid?

[sultan]

Sultan, saan magaling ang mga Pilipino? Sa trabaho o sa pagbuo ng business o paghahanap ng investors? Anong punto mo kapatid?

Ang punto ko po ay maganda po ang kalidad ng Pinoy as a "human resource"--maging employee man, employer o investor. May kakayahan ang pinoy sa bawat larangan na ito. Kayang pantayan ng Pinoy ang magagaling na Amerikano, Hapon, Aleman o sinupaman sa personal na abilidad.

I am not saying that I take a position contrary to yours. We can encourage OFWs to set up businesses in the Philippines like you envision, and on the same level field encourage foreign investors in general as well. Walang conflict, sa tingin ko. In the first place, foreign investors won't take away or borrow money from the OFWs.

What is important is the competitive environment allowed only by free trade. Ito lang po ang punto ko.

[Tonyang]

Ang punto ko po ay maganda po ang kalidad ng Pinoy as a "human resource"--maging employee man, employer o investor. May kakayahan ang pinoy sa bawat larangan na ito. Kayang pantayan ng Pinoy ang magagaling na Amerikano, Hapon, Aleman o sinupaman sa personal na abilidad.

I am not saying that I take a position contrary to yours. We can encourage OFWs to set up businesses in the Philippines like you envision, and on the same level field encourage foreign investors in general as well. Walang conflict, sa tingin ko. In the first place, foreign investors won't take away or borrow money from the OFWs.

What is important is the competitive environment allowed only by free trade. Ito lang po ang punto ko.

Ok thanks, Sultan... anong basehan o benchmark mo kapatid kaya mo naisulat na may kalidad ang mga Pinoy? General o may specific facts kang nalalaman? Saang linya ito?

[Dkid]

“Free Trade? Agreement”
The Philippine government will liberalize the tariffs on importation of steels and car parts from Japan,. Will gradually lower the tariffs until scrapping it at a certain time. Let’s try to recall the pending case in the US on Japan’s dumping of subsidized steel. Which is in violation of the Geneva convention on anti-dumping law. And here we are with open arms will readily embrace it! Did we try to consider our very own National Steel Corp? Can we not see their doom?
And what’s in store for the Philippines? They may send their “hundreds” of nurses (as caregivers?) initially as trainees? For about 3 years, whereby they need to study the language and the Japanese system of nursing. That after completion, they may take the required examination (in Japanese), together with the natives, else, they may not be qualified! The Japanese government actually is in dire need of these heroes, as the number of births has dramatically declined.
That the Philippines may export their bananas with lower tariffs and may gradually lower it further until scrapping it at a certain time. Japan actually is in dire need of bananas! They only have Okinawa as their source of supply. “Mikan” is Japan’s all time favorite fruit. It is always number 1 in the billboard, until last year 2005, bananas overtook it! Who says they don’t need bananas?

Is this what we call diplomacy at work? Wanton disregard of the constituent’s interest is tantamount to pleasing the other party at a certain cost or favor. Or is it what we call “Political Prostitution”? This may not be my discipline of expertise, but I hate to call it “Fars Trade Agreement”. It may not benefit Mr. Juan dela Cruz at all, but may probably to Mr. Suave? Hoy! Hoy! Hoy!...Hoy!Hoy!Hoy!

[abakitba]

The Philippine government will liberalize the tariffs on importation of steels and car parts from Japan,. Will gradually lower the tariffs until scrapping it at a certain time. Let’s try to recall the pending case in the US on Japan’s dumping of subsidized steel. Which is in violation of the Geneva convention on anti-dumping law. And here we are with open arms will readily embrace it! Did we try to consider our very own National Steel Corp? Can we not see their doom?
"Dumping" as beneficial for consumers and I believe that allowing it makes the global economy more efficient.
Example... would you prefer to buy 1. 'car parts plus tariffs/tax' or 2. car parts and no tariff/tax. Number 2. would be cheaper. Consumer wins. You win.
I'm sure you would want to buy car parts using less of your well earned money (I could be wrong).

Steel... would you prefer cheaper Japanese steel (no tariff) or expensive Philippine-made steel?
Buying Philippine-made steel would subsidize the inefficient practices and corruption of the Philippine steel industry. People against free trade are the people in charge of the inefficient and uncompetitive Philippine steel industry. Why buy from them if it costs more... just because they're Pinoy?
Don't think I would want to buy for that reason alone. I prefer a good bargain.
Eliminating the Philippine steel industry may not be a bad idea since it is inefficient and costs the Pinoy consumer more money in the long and short run.

Am not sure where to find the Geneva Convention's connection with anti-dumping laws. Perhaps you mean the GATT now the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Usually Geneva Convention is about war, POW's, sick, and wounded. Please enlighten me.

And what’s in store for the Philippines? They may send their “hundreds” of nurses (as caregivers?) initially as trainees? For about 3 years, whereby they need to study the language and the Japanese system of nursing. That after completion, they may take the required examination (in Japanese), together with the natives, else, they may not be qualified! The Japanese government actually is in dire need of these heroes, as the number of births has dramatically declined.
Please explain what is wrong this caregiver scenario. Doesn't look bad to me at all.
Japan needs help and Pinoys need jobs. Everyone wins!

[abakitba]

That the Philippines may export their bananas with lower tariffs and may gradually lower it further until scrapping it at a certain time. Japan actually is in dire need of bananas! They only have Okinawa as their source of supply. “Mikan” is Japan’s all time favorite fruit. It is always number 1 in the billboard, until last year 2005, bananas overtook it! Who says they don’t need bananas?

Not sure what your point here is...
perhaps you are recommending we raise the price of bananas?
What if South America decides to sell bananas to Japan at a cheaper price?

Is this what we call diplomacy at work? Wanton disregard of the constituent’s interest is tantamount to pleasing the other party at a certain cost or favor. Or is it what we call “Political Prostitution”? This may not be my discipline of expertise, but I hate to call it “Fars Trade Agreement”. It may not benefit Mr. Juan dela Cruz at all, but may probably to Mr. Suave? Hoy! Hoy! Hoy!...Hoy!Hoy.
Don't see how Free trade disregards constituents' interest.
Protectionism has been with the Philippines since independence from the USA.
All protectionism has to show is the downward spiral of the Philippine economy.

[Dkid]

Showed you mine, and you showed me yours. that's it.
I choose to forgo my rebuttal.
Thanks for the share.

[abakitba]

Showed you mine, and you showed me yours. that's it.
I choose to forgo my rebuttal.
Thanks for the share.
Thanks for the amusing feedback.
I truly believe in free markets and am very anti-protectionism.
Please research it on the internet. You might be surprised, perhaps even convinced.
Thanks again.

[Dkid]

Thanks for the amusing feedback.
I truly believe in free markets and am very anti-protectionism.
Please research it on the internet. You might be surprised, perhaps even convinced.
Thanks again.

Same here actually. I also truly believe in the former, though not that "very" on the latter yet. Timing is essential probably.

At, thank you for the correction, I was quite obssessed in the current "Iran thing", that I instantaneously mistook it.

Nice point anyway.

[abakitba]

Free markets and anti-protectionism go together.
Can't be for free markets... and for protectionism... at the same time.
Again thanks.
And I'm sure, like you, I only wish for the Philippines and specially Pinoys to prosper.

[d_southpaw]

Free markets and anti-protectionism go together.
Can't be for free markets... and for protectionism... at the same time.
Again thanks.
And I'm sure, like you, I only wish for the Philippines and specially Pinoys to prosper.

Like Japan rice market now?

[abakitba]

Like Japan rice market now?
Sorry hindi ko na-get ang 'rice' remark mo... please explain...
or are you agreeing with me and using previous examples where I used Japanese rice?

But let me present an example of protectionism from the USA.
US car companies levy a tariff (tax) on imported cars.
The tariff makes the imported (Japanese) cars more expensive.
One estimate was that it added up to three thousand US$ to the price of the Japanese car.
This would make the Fords and Chevy's cheaper than the Japanese cars.
The American car buyer (consumer) would have to pay more for the Japanese car.
It would be in the interest of the American consumer to abolish this tariff that their Congress imposed.
Other buyers wouldn't have a choice but to buy American because the American cars become artificially cheaper.
This is how protectionist tariff protects the inefficient American car industry.
Without the protection of the tariff, the American car industry would be forced to compete in a free market, perhaps making better cars in the long run.
Consumer wins without protectionism.

Philippine politicians impose a 'luxury' tax on cars...
perhaps you see why people try to avoid this tax... adds cost to the car.

[d_southpaw]

Japan rice market has always been a protected market. Even
a country as rich as Japan, large part of which is coming thru
earning from other countries, is protecting her markets.

So with any other Japanese industries until
1/ their own industries are strong
2/ their own industries have been winning outside their country

Partly guessing (as my basis are fragmented information I read
here and there), Japan did not open any of its industry when
all their own local companies involved in those industries
can be easily killed by outsiders.

[Tonyang]

“Free Trade? Agreement”
The Philippine government will liberalize the tariffs on importation of steels and car parts from Japan,. Will gradually lower the tariffs until scrapping it at a certain time. Let’s try to recall the pending case in the US on Japan’s dumping of subsidized steel. Which is in violation of the Geneva convention on anti-dumping law. And here we are with open arms will readily embrace it! Did we try to consider our very own National Steel Corp? Can we not see their doom?
And what’s in store for the Philippines? They may send their “hundreds” of nurses (as caregivers?) initially as trainees? For about 3 years, whereby they need to study the language and the Japanese system of nursing. That after completion, they may take the required examination (in Japanese), together with the natives, else, they may not be qualified! The Japanese government actually is in dire need of these heroes, as the number of births has dramatically declined.
That the Philippines may export their bananas with lower tariffs and may gradually lower it further until scrapping it at a certain time. Japan actually is in dire need of bananas! They only have Okinawa as their source of supply. “Mikan” is Japan’s all time favorite fruit. It is always number 1 in the billboard, until last year 2005, bananas overtook it! Who says they don’t need bananas?

Is this what we call diplomacy at work? Wanton disregard of the constituent’s interest is tantamount to pleasing the other party at a certain cost or favor. Or is it what we call “Political Prostitution”? This may not be my discipline of expertise, but I hate to call it “Fars Trade Agreement”. It may not benefit Mr. Juan dela Cruz at all, but may probably to Mr. Suave? Hoy! Hoy! Hoy!...Hoy!Hoy!Hoy!


Dkid, maramiing ideya ang lumabas dito... main concern ko iyung political prostitution. Two-way street ba ito sa iyong interpretation? At ang FTA existence para sa iyo ay advantage o kung hindi, ano pang option ang nararapat kaysa rito?

[abakitba]

to d_southpaw

Japan rice market has always been a protected market.
So true. And because of that protection, the Japanese consumer suffers.
That means expensive rice for you, me, and everyone else in Japan.
It is the rice farmers that are protected.

Even a country as rich as Japan, large part of which is coming thru
earning from other countries, is protecting her markets.

So with any other Japanese industries until
1/ their own industries are strong
The rice industry will never be as strong as the US or Thailand because Japan doesn't have land resources of these countries.
So if the Farmer's union/lobby prevails, it will be expensive rice for us forever?
The Japanese Farmer's Union is one of the most powerful union in this country. Their protectionism allows poor farming practices to continue.
It has also corrupted the land tax structure...
example.... if I have land, and I grow cabbage, my tax is less.
That's why we see those small garden plots, not to grow produce.. but to lessen the land owner's tax burden.
Thanks for contributing.

[d_southpaw]

Japan rice market has always been a protected market.
So true. And because of that protection, the Japanese consumer suffers.
That means expensive rice for you, me, and everyone else in Japan.
It is the rice farmers that are protected.



I am not sure 'suffer' is an accurate statement for the Japanese consumers.

I have not heard of any Japanese complaining that their rice is expensive. I go
to lunch with classmates during my student days, and with colleagues ever since
I worked, I have not heard anybody complaining.

Ano kaya ang mangyayari don sa mga farmers pag hindi sila protected ?

Why will the Japanese government let their farmers die (ohgesa na iikata
da ga) for the sake of lowering the price of rice, when the market in general
is not asking for that.

My points are:

1/ Japan is a good example where their government are protecting their
industries as the situation dictates.

2/ Japan is very progressive, which shows the proof that even if a country
protect her industries, she can still progress

Same with the Philippines. Why open the steel market NOW, when the
foreign companies will readily eat the Philippine companies. And those
companies will not care about the Philippines at all. They can also
possibly fix the prices resulting to as high as now, for example, and
the Philippine industry is also dead as a result.

I am not against opening up the market, but many other factors must be
carefully considered, and the local industry must be helped by the
government, so that they can be competitive.

[abakitba]

to d southpaw
I am not sure 'suffer' is an accurate statement for the Japanese consumers.
Endure, experience, agonize, be affected... feel free to choose your verb.

I have not heard of any Japanese complaining that their rice is expensive. I go
to lunch with classmates during my student days, and with colleagues ever since
I worked, I have not heard anybody complaining.
Most Japanese don't complain. Perhaps they like high prices.
They've only known high prices all their life.
When they go outside Japan, all you hear is... yasui... yasui... they seem to like low prices?

Ano kaya ang mangyayari don sa mga farmers pag hindi sila protected ?
Anong nangyari sa...
typewriter repairman now that we're using word processors and computers.
calesa or buggy manufacturers now that we're driving cars?
Ship captains and crew now that people travel by plane instead of ships.
Pinoy entertainers now that wala nang visa for Japan.
Printing press employee now that we have printers at home?
Sa mga Pinoy boys, now that Pinays prefer banyaga' and leave their country?
Movie theater owners now that people watch movies in their homes?
Telephone company employees now that we have cellphones.
Simple... they will move on and survive.

Why will the Japanese government let their farmers die (ohgesa na iikata
da ga) for the sake of lowering the price of rice, when the market in general
is not asking for that.
The question is... why just protect the farmers?
Should the government protect other occupations also?
Why not accountants and aerobic instructors? doctors and nurses? or laborers that build houses and buildings, car mechanics and gas station attendants?
Shouldn't the Japanese govt allow these occupations to charge more for their services just as rice farmers do?

when the market in general is not asking for that.
How do you know how people want to spend their money?
Give people freedom to choose, and people will choose less expensive rice.
Let me know if anyone here would choose expensive vs. affordable.

Fact is that the Japanese rice-producing industry is slowly going away... perhaps dying.
Look at today's rice farmers and look at their children, perhaps also grandchildren.
Are any of them going to stay in the rice-producing business?
Where will Japan get it's rice then?
Rice has a very important position in Japan's culture.
Rice becomes more interesting if you include Japanese history and culture.
Thank you.

[sultan]

abakitba

I like the way you present your argument. You're a sharp-thinking guy.

Free trade is based on the concept of comparative advantage: I sell you what I can produce more efficiently (given the same quality, at a lower cost than yours) and you sell me what you can produce more efficiently. The argument is that both of us are better off this way.

Kahit nga sa potluck, which is a non-trade exchange, comparative advantage works: kung mas masarap adobo mo, yon lutuin mo at lutuin ko naman suman kasi eto specialty ko. At the end of the day, we're both happy because we got the best of each other.

The problem with protectionism is that we are sheltering our weak spots, in the hope that we will eventually be as strong as others in those spots.

But most of our weak spots are built into us or defined by nature, in the same way that some of our strenghts are. Bihira ang 5-footer na naging MVP sa basketball.

Thus, after decades of protection, Japanese rice industry still needs protection. It is still fragile. Why? Japan doesn't have the land resources to optimize its productive efficiency.

If we start a local auto industry and protect it with tariff walls, para naman yatang iri-reinvent natin ang wheel. Besides, wala tayo ganoon kalaking domestic market na may purchasing power for costly cars. Hindi tayo magkakaroon ng economies of scale to bring down the cost.

Under FTA, mas madaling bumili na lang ng kotse mula sa Japan, dahil siguradong mas mura. But under free trade, hindi lang ito ang option. Hindi ba't mas mabuting anyayahan natin ang Japan na mag-invest sa atin ng auto factory dahil siya naman ang may lead dito? Ba't pilitin nating makipaglaban kung imo-mobilize naman nila ang domestic resources, including labor, for efficient production? Saka hindi lang local kundi overseas market ang pagbebentahan. Bakit umaapaw ngayon ang foreign exchange reserve ng China? Dahil welcome nila ang Japanese investors who produce cheap goods exported to Japan.

In the same way, Japan can't force itself to produce bananas, unless gagastos siya ng hectares and hectares of greenhouse.

FTA surely is not heaven. But I think the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages.

[abakitba]

for your flattering comment.

"Thus, after decades of protection, Japanese rice industry still needs protection. It is still fragile. Why? Japan doesn't have the land resources to optimize its productive efficiency."

Japan's industrial sector is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels...
yet it's subsidies from the Japan govt does not come close to the farming subsidy.
Is that fair to the automaker? Same with electronics.

Usually self sufficient in rice, Japan must import about 50% of its requirements of other grain and fodder crops. Tarrif on imported rice is almost 500% btw. Makes the 100% luxury tax of bringing a car to the Philippines almost reasonable.

"anyayahan natin ang Japan na mag-invest sa atin ng auto factory "
But they won't come because conditions in the Philippines haven't been conducive to profit,
for example, corruption of govt officials increase production costs, labor officials (unions) increase labor costs, transportation costs are expensive because of lack of competition.

The Pinoy govt has to make conditions attractive and any business will get in line to build factories in the Philippines.
Call centers begin to proliferate because of small capital investment required compared to manufacturing.

Bihira ang 5-footer na naging MVP sa basketball
False argument... we don't have to compete in b-ball to excel...
just so happens that Pinoys picked the wrong sport to become their favorite.. ironic...
I'm sure you've heard of Pacquiao and Bata 'Reyes'.
Conditions of poverty & corruption won't allow potential Pinoy world class athletes to excel.
When they move to the USA, some Pinoys excel not only in sports but most all enterprises.

Bakit umaapaw ngayon ang foreign exchange reserve ng China? Dahil welcome nila ang Japanese investors who produce cheap goods exported to Japan.
Interesting... China, though even if you describe 'umaapaw', no way would I want to live or work there... as a Chinese native of course.
Maybe China will make me an offer I can't refuse. Wish I had time to go into this.
Will be interesting to see how the WTO and Olympics will affect China.

If a country wants to prosper, they should adopt Free Trade policies and denounce protectionism.
I liked your adobo and suman analogy btw.:)

[abakitba]

2/ Japan is very progressive, which shows the proof that even if a country
protect her industries, she can still progress
The reason Japan is progressive is not because of protectionism...
it's their work ethic and excellence in high technology, even keiretsu.
And they don't have to spend much on defense compared to other countries, Europe and USA..

eat the Philippine companies. And those companies will not care about the Philippines at all.
No matter what anyone says (Public Relations and Marketing folks mostly), companies should/could not care about countries in a strict sense.
Sure it sounds good to say a company cares about a country, the people, the environment, the planet... blah blah blah...
But a company's job is to make profits, or the company will vanish.

[d_southpaw]

to d southpaw
Perhaps they like high prices.
They've only known high prices all their life.
When they go outside Japan, all you hear is... yasui... yasui... they seem to like low prices?


Whichever of that, it does not change the fact that the general Japanese population
are not complaining about the price of their rice.

[d_southpaw]

The reason Japan is progressive is not because of protectionism...


I agree. In the same token, the reason why Japan is progressive is also NOT because she opened up her market. Because Japan did not. She did eventually, phase by phase,
as I posted before, I think her strategy is open up her market when her own industry
is ready for the competition; and when her own industries are also getting strengths
from the earnings in the worldwide market.

So, FTA alone will not make one country be progressive.


it's their work ethic and excellence in high technology, even keiretsu.


Exactly! I am glad it came from you. It is not FTA. (Okay, I can put it
'it is not FTA ONLY').

It is the nation's work ethics, high intelligience, unity, love of their
own and their own produce, progressive businesses, one's own businesses
winning in global scale etc... etc...

In the same manner, our government and ourselves, must also strive to find
those missing ingredients on how we can possibly progress as a nation....

That is why education must come #1 in our list. And that is why there are those
amongst us who spend money and effort to help educate not only our own
relatives, but also others that deserve help.