ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews / 16 June) – Everything is set for the two-day First Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) International Business Conference in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, an ARMM official announced.
The business conference, which will be held at the Sandbar Lepa Convention Center in Pasiagan, Bongao, kicks off Tuesday until Wednesday.
Sakiran Hajan, Department of Trade and Industry-ARMM (DTI-ARMM) Secretary, said the business confab is aimed to showcase the business opportunities as well as tourism potentials of Tawi-Tawi and the entire autonomous region.
Aside from Tawi-Tawi, the ARMM comprises of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Sulu.
Hajan said it will also serve as guide for stakeholders where and on what business they could invest.
He said the business conference is anchored on the theme “Strengthening Public-Private Partnership Towards Economic Stability in ARMM.”
The event was preceded by a trade fair and exhibits, which opened Monday.
Among the topics lined up for discussion are opportunities and prospects in the following industries: palm oil, rubber, coffee, seaweed, and aquaculture and mariculture.
Participants will discuss the following: opportunities and challenges in investing in power and utilities, renewable energy as alternative business, water resources development and management, eco-tourism, adaptation mechanisms as response to climate variabilities to enhance business projections in the ARMM, financing programs for micro-small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and strengthening business linkages between the country through ARMM to Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia-Tarakan, Indonesia (3Ts) Growth Area.
Hajan said several business stakeholders, as well as from the tourism industry, have been invited as resource persons.
He said other top personalities like Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo and ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman will also grace the conference.
A 15-man business contingent from nearby Malaysia has already arrived Monday afternoon in Bongao town aboard a chartered fastcraft.
