Kudos to DTI

Thank God for the seeming consistent and continuing efforts of DTI to pursue pragmatic trade and economic development. We need that resolve if we are to have the wherewithal to take a quantum leap for Juan de la Cruz, for the common good? It appears we seriously want to develop markets beyond our shores? We typically encounter news about the downsides of international trade; yet the DTI appears to be doing their homework and have set timelines for the requisite trade negotiations with other nations?

Trade is not defined by one’s weakness but by one’s resolve – something we can learn from the Asian tigers? Pragmatic trade and development goes beyond ‘Filipino abilidad’ – our ‘default instinct’? It is pursuing investment, technology and innovation; and talent, product and market development – which are all available to everyone? Every Asian tiger started with none of them but did not allow their deficiencies to define them, again confirmed by China’s latest trade surplus? We need to wrap our head around this reality so we don’t end up like Mosley – or worse, reminiscent of the least effective shepherd from the parable of the Talents?

We’ve talked about the narrowness of an economy reliant on OFW remittances? And recognizing how limited our options are, we have to harp on maximizing the use of these remittances or the imperative of efficient tax collection? They are both truly positive initiatives and are correct, yet insufficient? Our economic pie (or average income) can’t feed a flock of 100 million? What we need is a coherent road map to development. Good enough is not good enough in a highly competitive globalized economy – or even when Ateneo or La Salle put their teams together? We need to step up to reality with the urgency demanded by our downward spiral – i.e., we keep dropping in every global-rankings index translating to increasing poverty? The ratings are like scores, it is how we play the game that is reflected in these scores – i.e., dissecting the scores helps but they are not the meat?

Our challenge requires a true paradigm shift, not pressing the few old buttons that make up our comfort zone? The efforts of DTI would fail if we sign more trade agreements yet are stuck with the same, old mindset? Our current investment capacity – including investments of our major local industries and OFW remittances – would not suffice and translate to the acquisition of state-of-the-art technologies; or the attainment of competitive advantage in innovation, talent, and product and market development? They are what we require – the imperatives – to play and win in the global-market arena, or if trade agreements signed by the DTI are to work for us?

Wishful thinking won’t cut it in the 21^st century? It did not during Biblical times when the master took to task the shepherds who failed to leverage their God-given talents? The current state of the global economy makes our challenge more daunting. And indeed the West is the main culprit. Both the Great Depression and the Great Recession, at their core, are outcomes of human greed – not that different from why Adam and Eve were driven out of Eden? Bottom line: these are times when we have to dig deep for the human spirit, not retreat and be an island unto ourselves? We simply don’t have the means and to stick with our bolos is foolhardy?

There is no magic to global competitiveness – but it demands plenty of resolve! And as we speak the writer’s Eastern European friends are pulling together their game plan to further accelerate their geographic expansion efforts. It will be driven by a stable of ‘global brands’ – for which they are coupling the requisite elements of competitive investment levels, acquisition of state-of-the-art technologies, and stepped-up innovation in product and market development. Over the last several years, they have been assembling world-class talents to bring to bear on this major enterprise. Clearly this was not their mindset when socialism supposedly thrived in this part of the world. On the other hand, given our frustrations, we think there are versions of the free market that are less demanding? There is no free lunch?

More Filipino enterprises ought to pursue the lead of Universal Robina Corporation and commit to marshalling the requisite elements of global competitiveness? As the writer’s wife – born to an entrepreneurial family – would explain, ‘we Filipinos don’t distinguish ‘cost from investment’? And we reap what we sow?