"PhilsInvest.com is a community-focused resource for the development of investment opportunities in the Philippines."

Clearly what the Philippines and other developing nations require is more investment. Not the kind of investment you sometimes see from Non-Government Organizations and eager government programs. Experienced investment with an eye to sustainability, ecology, as well as social and cultural realities.

In the western world, investment opportunities with returns of greater than 10% are generally snapped up by private equity firms and shared between large corporations. For the common person, finding access to these kind of investments is becoming harder and harder. In the developing world, these kind of investment returns are abundant, with street banks providing secured loans at as much as 36% per year annualized interest rate. Certain tourist resorts are making 100% a year return on their capital investment. Money transfers are making as much as 2% instantaneous return on transactions. Why aren't more of the locals reaping these rewards? Access to capital. There is little to no access to capital for the average person in the developing world.

In December 2004, many billions of dollars were donated by do-gooders around the world to help the victims of the tsunami that ravaged South-East Asia and Southern Asia. There is a huge appetite for socially conscious investment in the world that actually makes a difference to the lives of millions of people living in poverty. We highlight business investments that have a socially conscious aspect to them.

Personally I know that no investment is worth the pains and strains associated with bringing it to fruition without an adequate return. That's why I only focus on investment opportunities with returns of greater than 20% on investment. I will also consider investments with returns of 10% to 20% with significantly beneficial environmental, or social impacts.

Hello!

My name is Eric Hey, and I am a Canadian citizen originally from Toronto, Canada.

I am writing to you from my private office in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, a short drive to the paradise island of Panglao. I prefer the more slow paced life of Tagbilaran City compared to the fast paced cities of Manila and Cebu. I lived in each of those cities for more than a year, however I am a short commute (less than 2 hours) from either of these cities. Granted my commute requires a fast seacraft or an airplane, but the time and cost of these is comparable to a commute in North America. I also like the perspective that life in the provinces gives you compared to getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of city life. Better to see the forest for the trees.

In the past two years I have personally invested over $150,000 into my business ventures in the Philippines. This is not a lot of money, however it is also accompanied by about 3 years of feet on the street experience that only time here can get you. In my previous life, I was a 6 figure salary consultant, working as a Technical Systems Architect in Fortune 500 companies across the United States. The opportunity cost of my time here cannot be discounted.

So as a now experienced entrepreneur, I hope to offer a platform for the development of foreign and local investment in the Philippines. The PhilsInvest.com web site provides an online community where we can share our ideas, experience, and enthusiasm.