What is special about the Philippines? Why should an investor or entrepreneur choose the Philippines as a gateway to Asia?
One of the best reasons to come to the Philippines is language. All the laws are in English and everybody speaks in English. The other reason is the nature of the Philippine people. Most Filipinos like to make foreign visitors feel good.
A lot of the clients we have go through the mill, but once their businesses are established and they are proper expats they love it. Many retire here, because of the lifestyle, and that includes Germans, Japanese and Scandinavians.
A lot of people eventually decide they are retiring in the Philippines and people will not exclude you because you are a foreigner. You will be made to feel welcome in the community, and your staff will make you feel they want you to be part of their family.
Infrastructure is a weakness though. The airport is a little shabby and the government is building more roads to solve traffic problems.
The Philippines is also a member of ASEAN, so people like to manufacture here because they have tariff free entry into the other ASEAN countries.