Globalization has become a convenient mantra for developed economies. It is invoked if a developing country, to protect vital local industries, refuses to allow the free entry of foreign-made products into its market.
But if that country tries to export products that may adversely affect the developed country's productivity, the latter is quick to impose health, environmental and all kinds of conditions to delay, if not prevent, those exports.
So much for globalization or free trade. When the national interests are involved, these buzzwords can go bust!
This coming holiday season presents a good opportunity for us to play the same game that developed countries, if not the rest of the world, are engaged in to protect their economies.
It does not need an MBA education to understand that every centavo spent to buy local products translates to the retention or expansion of jobs in the agricultural and industrial sectors of our country.
The money that would subsidize the farmers or workers of other countries through the purchase of their goods would find better use in the pockets of our own people.
Contrary to the mistaken belief of many (no thanks to deceptive advertising), there is a wealth of local products that can meet the requirements of even the most sophisticated gift-givers in our society.
All it takes to do that is to get out of the traditional zone of colonial mentality and be imaginative in the choice of locally made gifts that would make their recipients happy and, at the same time, keep our economy humming.
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