Local business could die because of WTO commitments

As the international business scheme of things, as espoused by the developed countries, begins to take its real shape, more and more local businessmen and even government officials realize that the Philippines should not have rushed getting into commitments with the WTO for an eventual tariff-free trading arrangement with the world.

As we get deeper into these commitments we also get to realize that more often than not we are left with the shorter end of the stick. The more developed countries just seem to always wantonly have it their way when their own industries get threatened, while threats of trade sanctions come cheaply our way when we move to protect ours.

Often it appears that the biggies can come up with the flimsiest of reasons just to bar any kind of products from entering their countries if they feel that these would threaten the viability of theirs. All these while the same more advanced countries prod nations like ours to stick to the commitments we have made regarding the phase down of tariffs and their eventual total removal and other trade restrictions.

Many business observers say that when the time for tariff-free trading comes, our local manufacturers would not stand a chance, not unless they decide to be gobbled up by one-sided mergers with foreign interests literally handling the business to them in a silver platter. As they would be negotiating in adverse financial situations, it has to be with a give-away price.

The only businesses that may stand some chance of being able to put up some decent struggle may be those that involve some of our natural resources – like agriculture. But most of the biggies have their own agricultural interests to look after, many, if not most even have government subsidies to keep them afloat. The more reason that their governments fight tooth and nail to protect them.

With this frightening scenario, where would our local business find itself except by the wayside? We would be nothing else but the receptacle of over-produced products, worse, unacceptable ones, from the highly developed countries, which our populace would have no choice but to take, as there would be no more local manufacturing concerns to speak of.

That’s dealing with what would most likely happen, but with an iota of a possibility, it may not. Maybe we can still fight the odds. Maybe we can still re-shuffle the cards. But it has to be now.

So many of us were right after all when we said that we were not ready yet to take on the world at even terms, more so when the deck is stacked against us. Just by the economy of scale, we cannot compete with the advanced countries in their research and development budgets to improve the quality of their products much more with their pricing. And we can only come up with a whimper when the biggies bully us.

So why did our government made a wimp of itself by allowing the country to be meekly led to the slaughterhouse by getting into those commitments?

I could almost hear many of our businessmen shout in unison, "Shove the commitments! There wasn’t even any referendum of the populace, or even just the business community, to find out if it was acceptable to the majority. Let’s talk about national survival, not even just national pride."

And I cannot agree with them any further. How can we talk of pride and honor when we are dealing with huge faceless business enterprises, which can shamelessly disregard their own commitments once they themselves feel threatened? By now we should already be wise to the philosophy of world business, the same as that of the streets – survival.

Gourmand’s trip at the Hyatt

Guest chefs Mahmur Bin Abas Kharil and Anuar Bin Sumari were specially flown in by Malaysian Airlines from the Hyatt Regency Johor Bahru to the Hyatt Regency Manila for its Malaysian Food Festival.

Café Al Fresco’s lunch and dinner buffets showcase Malaysia’s diversified exotic gastronomic world from its famous hot and spicy Sambal dip (thick sauce made of chilies, shallots, shrimp paste and sour fruits) to special rice and noodle recipes, as well as their "signature dish" Satay (skewered chicken or beef marinated in spices then grilled over charcoal fire), curries, coconut based mutton, chicken, beef and seafood specialties.

The food fest is part of the nationwide celebration of "Asean Week" organized by the office of Asean affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

This gourmand’s trip, according to Ms. Genny Puno, the Hyatt’s marketing and communications manager, ends tomorrow, Aug. 18. That means you still have time to check it out for your Sunday lunch or dinner.

A huge air-conditioned tiangge!

Imagine a 150,000-square meter shopping center, a marketplace complete with the sights and sounds of a hawker’s food center, within the comforts of an air-conditioned venue – that’s Market! Market!

Ayala Land describes it as a marketplace with assured security and a sprinkling of style, its newest innovative concept – a five-level value-mall located along C-5 in Taguig.

Ms. Miriam Katigbak, Ayala Land vice president, was very confident in saying, "This new mall promises the same unique shopping experience that can be found in the likes of Tutuban, Greenhills, Banawe and Dangwa, plus all the comfort, convenience and security that can be found in a shopping center."

Market! Market!, projected to be the regional retail hub, will have cinemas, bars, amusement centers, zoned "themed" bazaars, fruits and flower market and car accessories row. Aside from the staple fast food outlets, food courts and restaurants, another major attraction is a huge area for those who love their food cooked fresh and dine al fresco.

Pinoy-like festivities like mascara fanfare and higantes, kakanins and the sweetest panghimagas marked the fiesta atmosphere during its groundbreaking held last Aug. 2.

For BMW bikers only

The first ever meeting of all riders with BMW motorcycles is set this Thursday, Aug. 22 at the Zeno, a lifestyle lounge located at the Prestige Cars (Libis) Showroom.

This could be an exciting event for motorcycling enthusiasts as 20 BMW motorcycles, from vintage to contemporary, will be on display.

The invitation I got asked to bring my BMW bike and my best biker’s outfit.

I don’t have a BMW bike, or any kind of bike because I do not bike at all and the closest I could probably get to what’s being asked would be to come with my leather jacket.

But this could really be something to the bike buffs.

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Tonight on the TV show Business & Leisure (11 o’clock, Channel 4 Manila and nationwide via satellite on the National Broadcasting Network) we shall spotlight a hotel and resort management company that’s presently running a couple of properties located in different parts of the country. On center stage will be Genesis Hotel & Resorts Corp., which runs under the expert tutelage of long-time manager of the world-famous Manila Hotel, Senior Miguel Cerqueda. Don’t fail to watch and keep in step with the good life.

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