Subcontracts, Manpower: The Philippine Pipeline To Guam?

By Jeff Marchesseault - Guam News Factor

GUAM - Subcontracting and overseas labor present a best-fit window of opportunity for Philippine businesses who want a piece of the action during Guam's multi-billion-dollar military buildup.

According to the Manila Bulletin, a government study concluded that since the U.S. and Japan are financing the buildup, firms from these two nations "will be given priority."

The Bulletin goes on to quote the report as stating:

"But since the projects are big, it is expected that the main contractors will sub-contract some portions of the projects. This is where Philippine contractors could come in as sub-contractors or manpower service providers."

Opportunity in the service sector may be ripe for foreign investors, but that doesn't mean they won't face competition from Guam-based businesses.

KUAM and the Marianas Business Journal report that a new company with deep local ties called Guam Manpower Resources is already doing business on island and is gearing up for buildup-related work.

Read the Manila Bulletin story, "Guam offers big opportunities for contractors", July 31, 2009.

Read the KUAM story, "MBJ: Manpower maneuver New group steps into HR field", August 3, 2009.