Many foreign nationals no longer view America as the land of opportunity and growing numbers of immigrants are returning to their home countries — India, Pakistan, China, Singapore and Vietnam, countries with job and economic growth sometimes double or triple that of the US. China is experiencing the fastest economic growth of any country, expanding at eight per cent a year, according to CIA statistics. India’s economy ranks No. 2, growing at 4.3 per cent last year. By comparison, US economy grew just 2.45 per cent during the period.In fact, all countries in southeast Asia have higher economic growth rates than the US, the Denver Post said yesterday. Much of that activity is fuelled by US companies outsourcing work there. With its highly educated workforce, India has become a prime spot for customer-support call centres and software development houses.‘‘I know a lot of Indians who are going back to India,’’ said Zafar Khan, a Denver lawyer and accountant. Khan said he is considering moving back to Pakistan.China has become a key manufacturing centre for companies across the globe, making everything from washing machines and clocks to chemical fertilizers and sugar.Said Hai Yan Zhang, a Chinese business consultant: ‘‘I go to China and see people’s eyes sparkling. It’s full of life and vitality there, in contrast to US, where we’re reaching a plateau.’’Economists say the exodus could hurt the US economy because America is losing some of the world’s smartest and most entrepreneurial people. And it most likely will feed a controversial trend by US companies to create jobs or move existing jobs offshore. The companies, facing competitive pressures, want cheaper and faster software development, manufacturing or customer service.
