ISLAMIC business opportunities and investments from the Middle East business community are being eyed by the Mindanao Development Authority (Minda).
Minda public relations head Adrian M. Tamayo said the potential in the Middle East business industry for Mindanao is huge given the Islamic community in both places.
Tamayo said Minda will be proposing projects and potential business ventures which investors from Middle East could be interested in. This will be presented in a planned investment mission sometime this year.
Among the projects Minda will be promoting to the potential investors is the proposed P25-billion Hajj Terminal in Picong, Lanao del Sur.
There will also be a freeport near the location of the Hajj Terminal that is seen to attract more investors to the area.
The proposed Davao-Samal bridge will also be presented during the investment mission. This is to look for possible source of funding for the P16-billion bridge.
Another project is the Tawi-Tawi Special Economic and Freeport Zone. Tamayo said through this future logistics hub along the Freeport area, ships passing by the area can now dock in Tawi-Tawi. This is seen to spur economic development that can result to more employment. The Tawi-Tawi economic zone is estimated to be at P15 billion.
Tamayo said Minda will also be proposing the creation of more agro-economic zones in Mindanao amounting to P42 billion. This could help entice more investors, not only from Middle East, to locate in Mindanao and expand business operations.