A BUSINESS delegation from Mindanao will visit Singapore this week for a trade and investment mission in a bid to strengthen economic linkages with the country.
The group, representing 23 companies from the island-region, will be conducting site inspections in Singapore’s markets, seaports, and processing facilities to identify viable investment opportunities and benchmark various business practices.
A business forum led by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is also slated on August 10 where the Mindanao delegation and their Singaporean counterparts can explore areas for partnerships through business-to-business networking sessions.
"The goal of this business mission is to jumpstart possible investments for the Mindanao business community and allow them to learn from industry standards in Singapore for a more competitive stance in the global market," Philippine Embassy in Singapore Chargé d'affaires a.i. Dr. Emmanuel R. Fernandez said.
With Singapore being one of the major hubs for global markets, MinDA Chairperson Secretary Maria Belen S. Acosta said that the series of promotional activities intends to raise awareness and interest on Mindanao’s potential as a prime investment destination.
“We want to present Mindanao’s competitive position where investments in the area yield high returns thanks to its vast fertile lands, ideal climate for agricultural production, and skilled labor force,” she added.
MinDA Deputy Executive Director Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro also said that the business forum aims to send a message that Mindanao is “back in business” with its robust economic performance despite the setbacks brought about by the global pandemic.
“Our agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors being able to display positive growth even during the peak periods of the Covid-19 crisis make a strong case for Mindanao’s capacity as an investment area, especially for agri-based industries,” he said.
Agricultural development and food security are among the priority sectors of the Marcos administration - with focus on increasing productivity and ensuring self-sufficiency.
The four-day trade and business event is co-organized by MinDA together with the Philippine Embassy in Singapore, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. MINDA