Andrew Chan

This is the tough decision expats in Asia are finding they have to make after a retrenchment exercise.  They know that the recovery in Asia is likely to be sooner than the US, Australia and Europe, fueled by some major developments still to take place in 2010 such as the Shanghai World Expo, the 2 Integrated Resorts projects of Singapore together with the Youth Olympics and the Commonwealth Games in the subcontinent.  However, these expats have a perfectly good home waiting for them back in their own country and the costs are starting to add up the longer they remain.

It’s not an easy question to answer, and one I do so with caution as each individual must take into consideration their own financial position and long term objectives.  If the long term goal is to remain working in Asia and you’re in a financial position to do so, my advice is to remain as it would be an easier exercise looking for that next opportunity.  However, if you’re a year into a 2 year stint, then it may be a better option to cut your losses and return as the likely scenario is a 4-5 period of job search in the current market.