The Chinese take-away

By Jason Moore ON the same day as a Balearic showcase of fashion and industry was taking place in China three shoe firms in Majorca had been forced to close with the loss of 100 jobs because of competition from the Far East, namely China. While, I am all in favour of opening up new markets I think it would be a better idea for the local authorities to try and protect Majorca's small industrial bases because soon there will be little left to promote abroad. While, this problem with China is common throughout the European Union, in the Balearics it is more pronounced because the islands have little industry and the loss of 100 manufacturing jobs will be severely felt. The money on the China roadshow would have been better spent in Majorca, organising a similar event, but inviting business leaders from around the world so that they can see what is produced in the islands. I look upon the Balearic trade fair like when British engineers taught the Japanese, Koreans, and Chinese how to build ships, no prizes for guessing where the bulk of vessels are now built! It is very difficult to compete against the low labour costs in China and their productivity rates. You can either put up the white flag and resign yourself to the fact that everything will be built in China or try and do something about it. Quality is the only way forward and I wish the Balearic ministry for industry luck if they aim to take on the Chinese. What they must remember though is that a sizeable proportion of local businesses are owned by Chinese businessmen. If things continue like they are at the moment, the only thing apart from tourism which will be left to promote will be Majorca-based Chinese businesses.