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Numerous messages last year looked at the risk any nation, person
or business faces when the natural forces behind the globalization of
the economy are ignored.
Nature
seems to abhor vacuums. The world and the universe as we
know
it seems to be a never-ending process of mixing, blending folding and
unfolding. Life is change. Static we cannot be.
When
anyone does anything that impedes globalization, a price
is paid.
US
efforts against terrorism make it harder on businesses and
tourists. This hinders globalization. Whether these
efforts slow
terrorism or not is unknown. What is known is that the
crude approach
to protecting US borders has a negative effect on business and tourism
that is extracting a price on the US economy.
A recent article in the Miami Herald by Mary Ellen Klas “Capital Watch
National security policy creates economic termites in Fla. Basement” supports this contention.
The
article says: “As Americans increasingly lose
patience with the
U.S. involvement in Iraq, tolerance also is wearing thin in Florida
for domestic security policies that some say inhibit international
trade, tourism and global exchange among students, researchers and
business leaders.
“In
an unusually candid document, Florida TaxWatch last week
released
a report, ‘Termites in Florida's Basement: The
Economic Impact of
National Security Policy on Florida's Economy.’
“The
business-backed research group chronicled how changes in
immigration and national security policies since Sept. 11,
2001, have
put a chilling effect on business development, tourism and even
foreign student enrollment in Florida.
“Expect
it to be the beginning of a newfound push in the new year
by
Miami-Dade and state business leaders to get federal officials to ease
up on restrictive visa policies. They will urge Congress to better
fund offices around the world to eliminate delays in visa
applications, and to put pressure on the agency to streamline its
operations, said Tony Villamil, chairman of Enterprise Florida's
Global Commerce Committee, the international branch of the state's
economic development arm.
''We're
the gateway to the Americas and if we puts an impediment
to
the flow of people, that has an impact on everybody,' he said.
“For
example, a reduction in the number of non-immigrant visas
granted
each year has significantly reduced the number of business people who
can travel back and forth to Miami to do business,” Villamil said.
“Multinational
corporations can't get visas for their executives to
travel to South Florida. Trade shows can't get visas for vendors and
buyers. The World Trade Center in Miami had to relocate a trade show
to Panama City, Panama, so buyers could get to it.
''Business
visas are critical to South Florida if we're going to be
a
globally competitive state,'' Villamil said. “These
roadblocks are
hurting us.''
“Increased
visa restrictions also have hampered universities and
research. There has been a 10 percent drop in the number of foreign
students studying in the state's colleges and universities from
2001-04, according to the TaxWatch report. TaxWatch estimates
indicated that translates into an estimated $100 million lost to the
state's economy.”
Read the entire article
Yet
it is never too late to adjust to change. Problems created
by poor
US policy create opportunities in other countries. DETAILS
Those
who see and accept change are those who enjoy everlasting
wealth. US domestic security policy is certainly a change. Look
for places (such as Panama-who got the Trade Show mentioned
in the article
above) that benefit from this change and you can spot trends that will
help you become and remain rich!
Until next message, good investing.
Gary
P.S.
Learn how to have an international life style, business view
and
investment portfolio. Join us at International Investing and Business
Made EZ. DETAILS
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