Asia Is Competing Hard For Your Business

May 10, 2009
Panama City, Panama

PLUS: What's The Expat Retiree To Do When The U.S. Dollar Tanks?...In Search Of Cold Beer And Hard Cash In South-Central Yunnan...No Money Down Recession Opportunity In Euro Coastal Hotspot...

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101 Things You Should Know Before You Even Think About Living, Retiring, Or Investing Overseas

Shipping your belongings across international borders...moving with your children...or a pet...obtaining residency...getting a visa...opening a bank account...getting the best international phone rates...learning a new language...using VOIP...obtaining an international driver's license...working with an overseas real estate agent...shopping for international health insurance...

This is everything we wish someone had told us before we set off on our own live and invest overseas adventures. And it's available to you right now Free. Details here.

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Dear Overseas Opportunity Letter Reader,

Asia is getting serious about competing for the global retiree's business.

As Philippines Correspondent Chris Bech reported this week, "With the new tourism bill, passed last month, the Philippine government is working hard to encourage foreigners to come and invest and settle in this country. They've made it their goal to develop the Philippines as Asia's tourist hub.

"Now under consideration is a bill that would allow for direct foreign ownership of land in this country, so foreigners would no longer have to set up a corporation to hold property.

"If this law passes, the Philippines will be the most liberal country in Southeast Asia for overseas investment. It's already the most appealing choice for expats in this part of the world, in my opinion."

Correspondent Wendy Justice, on the other hand, points out that, when it comes to full-time permanent residence for foreigners...Malaysia comes out the winner, with its "My Second Home" program for foreign retirees.

"Many countries, frankly, sound great at first blush. The trouble can start when you begin to look closely at the foreign immigration requirements or restrictions. The red tape involved with organizing residency many places, certainly permanent legal residency, can be intimidating and even, sometimes, impossible to navigate successfully.

"This is where Malaysia really shines. Unlike many of its Asian neighbors, Malaysia makes immigration easy. Most nationalities can enter Malaysia with a 'social visit' stamp that you get from immigration at the airport. For more permanent immigration status, there's the Malaysia My Second Home, or MM2H, program..."

Both these countries deserve a close look right now. Watch this space for more and more in-depth coverage.

Meantime, I've got to run. We're finalizing presentations and events for attendees joining us here in Panama City this week for our How To Retire Overseas and Live & Invest in Panama conferences. Speakers and correspondents arrive starting this afternoon. We're looking forward to a crazy busy week of new ideas, new opportunities, and new friends.

If you're not able to join us, don't worry. I'll do my best to keep you connected in real time to events and discoveries as they unfold throughout the week.

Hasta luego!

Kathleen Peddicord

P.S. Also this week:

• What's the expat retiree to do when the U.S. dollar tanks? Correspondent Paul Terhorst, 25 years retired overseas, offers solid, sensible suggestions...

• Intrepid Correspondent Paul also reports in from the road: "I'm back in China," he writes, "this time in south-central Yunnan province, traveling with my friend Ross. We're taking local buses everywhere. They're cheap, punctual, and convenient. And the rides offer marvelous scenery both inside and out.
  
  "We've seen our fellow passengers on-load drainage pipes, spare tires, pet birds in cages, chickens, gunny sacks full of watermelons, and bundles of what looked like toilet paper, which was surprising, as the rural Chinese don't use the stuff.
  
  "Between the two of us, Ross and I have visited some 100 countries. In all that travel, neither of us has been to a place where English was almost completely worthless, as it is in this part of rural China..."

• Finally, Portugal Correspondent Luis da Silva writes with details of a Recession Opportunity on that country's Algarve. You buy right now for a massive 32% to 38% discount off the developer's price. This is a legitimate discount of up to 164,925 euro. What's more, you buy with no money down. All condo and utility bills are covered for the first year; you're allowed four weeks personal use; financing is available; second-year rental is guaranteed at 10,000 euro; and this rental guarantee is renewable for additional two-year periods. Full details here.