MINDANAO will host three Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (Bimp-Eaga) events next year as the country will serve as the new chair of the economic sub-region.
The cities of Davao and General Santos are the areas identified where the international events will be staged.
In the recently-concluded 20th Bimp-Eaga Ministerial Meeting in Palawan, the ministers said in the joint statement that among these events include Bimp-Eaga Halal Congress on March 1 to 3 and the first Bimp-Eaga Technical and Vocational Education Forum on July 18 and 19 in Davao City.
The first Budayaw Festival, biennial event promoting diverse Bimp-Eaga culture and heritage, is eyed to be held on September 29 to October 4 in General Santos City.
Romeo Montenegro, assistant secretary and deputy director for investment promotion and public affairs of Mindanao Development Authority, said the year 2017 would also be the start of the implementation of Bimp-Eaga Vision (BEV) 2025.
Initially, during the endorsement of the BEV 2017-2025 roadmap, Montenegro said, they have identified $23 billion worth of priority infrastructure projects, most are poured in Mindanao.
The BEV 2025 was endorsed by the ministers during their ministerial meeting.
The joint statement said: “The BEV 2025 aims to deliver three main outcomes, namely, (1) competitive and green manufacturing, (2) sustainable, competitive and climate resilient agro-industry and fisheries and (3) sustainable tourism destination.”