There are many reasons for investing or living in Palawan. It is rightly claimed by many who visit that Palawan is a tropical paradise. So much so, that many people choose to make their home here. A growing population from a low base means that new investors have the opportunity to get in at an early stage of development, when the return on investment is often greatest. Real estate is a prime example, as land and property prices are still considered low, even compared to less attractive areas of the Philippines. As population grows and tourism increases, it is very likely that real estate prices will increase too.

Anyone visiting Palawan will see the enormous potential for tourism. There are many opportunities to acquire prime beach lots that are suitable for resort development. There are also locations suitable for an inland resort, most notably at Estrella Falls, which is earmarked for tourist development but where development has not yet commenced.

With the expected increase in tourism over time, there will be many chances to establish tourist related businesses, such as restaurants, bars, diving schools, nature trekking and other eco-tourist activities.

Tourism, however, is not the only industry that has a present and a future in Palawan. If you browse the following pages, you will see the type of eco-friendly industries that are being encouraged in the Philippines Last Frontier, Palawan, and the part the local government is playing in facilitating such development and investment. There are already a variety of agricultural activities taking place, from rice growing to forestry, vegetable cultivation to poultry rearing. But the potential far exceeds what is being done today. Existing activities are open to improvement and further investment. New possibilities for investment are being studied, for example the production of palm oil. The nearby Malaysian state of Sabah is Malaysia's main source of palm oil, and Palawan authorities are working very closely with their counterparts and investors in Sabah. The feasibility of palm oil production in Palawan is being studied jointly, and areas of Palawan have already been identified with the potential to successfully produce palm oil.

Whether you are a large scale commercial investor, or an individual wishing to earn a retirement income, or establish a business for your young family, the following pages will give you an idea of the sort of businesses that could be considered for Palawan.