'Times' forum highlights opportunities in Mindanao

THE government is ramping up efforts to increase investments in Mindanao.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), for one, is looking at establishing more economic zones on the island.

Potential zone sites are Bukidnon, Agusan del Sur and del Norte, Davao City, Sulu, Sultan Kudarat, Surigao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Sur and del Norte, Davao del Norte, North Cotabato, Zamboanga del Sur and del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Maguindanao.

PEZA said these areas are rich in agriculture, aquaculture and agroforestry.

Business opportunities in Mindanao will be in the spotlight in The Manila Times virtual forum, "Mindanao: Mind it now," today, December 7.

The forum is being held in cooperation with MX3 and Subtrust.

"There is no time like now for Mindanao entrepreneurs, professionals and laborers to lock arms and march in lockstep to the drumbeat of the initiative to go back to the provinces and achieve collective economic progress, particularly in infrastructure, agriculture, business, transportation, health care and even renewable energy," The Manila Times said in a statement ahead of the forum.

"Making Mindanao top of mind now allows its local government units to harness the richness of its natural, financial and manpower resources in order to become self-sufficient, resilient communities in these times of disaster and crisis," it added.

The Times pointed out that while several foreign multinationals and Filipino conglomerates already have operations in Mindanao, there are untapped acres of undeveloped land on the island.

"This mindset is not only for the island or even merely for our archipelago, but for the prosperity of the entire Southeast Asian investment ecosystem," it said.

Assistant Secretary Mindanao Development Authority Deputy Executive Director Romeo Montenegro will be one of the speakers at the forum.

He will be joined by BDO Network Bank President Jesus Antonio Itchon, LeBien Medical Group Founder Dr. Edwin Bien, Anflo Group of Companies President Ricardo Floirendo Lagdameo and Elizer Betinol, senior manager for advisory services of Reyes Tacandong & Co.

Broadcast live on The Manila Times Facebook page and YouTube channel and Dailymotion from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, the forum will be moderated by The Times Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dante "Klink" Ang 2nd and columnist Ben Kritz.

Organization partners include the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and the Management Association of the Philippines.

The Manila Times' media partner in this event is TMT TV.

Source: TheManila Times