AT LEAST 12 investors have expressed interest to expand their business in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (Armm) this year.
These investments are mainly on logistics, agribusiness, energy, and mining, most of which are located in Maguindanao.
According to the 2014 Accomplishment Report of the Regional Board of Investments (RBOI)-Armm, investors who have expressed interest last year included La Frutera, Manuel Tan, Alnor Corporation, Lim Solar Philippines, GintongAgri Corporation, CICC Philippines Inc., Nissey Delica, and Lamsan Power Corporation.
Agricultural or agribusiness ventures are those of La Frutera Inc., which is planning to develop a cavendish banana plantation in Talayan, Maguindanao as part of their expansion plans, and Nissey Delica, who is eyeing to develop a buckwheat plantation in Bumbaran, Lanao del Sur.
Gintong Agri Corp. is also set to establish a 1,500-hectare (ha.) oil palm plantation in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. RBOI-Armm recently provided technical support to the company for their RBOI registration requirements and processes.
Projects on logistics included those of Manuel Tan, who expressed interest to invest in Parang, Maguindanao, and Alnor Corp., which is planning to put up a warehouse and oil depot in the same area.
Investments on mining will be that of CICC Philippines Inc. wherein they are planning to establish a testing laboratory in Armm for mining companies.
Investments in power will be that of Lim Solar Philippines, which is planning to construct a P4.7-billion solar power plant in Marawi City, and Lamsan Power Corporation, who is set to put up its P687-million second power plant with a capacity in 5.5 megawatts (MW) in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat.
Meanwhile, based on the 2015 1st Quarter Accomplishment Report, the other five investors include Unifrutti Inc., Eric Lee Group, DS3 Management, and Al-Sahar Agri-Ventures Inc.
Unifrutti Inc. is eyeing to establish a banana plantation project in Maguindanao, while Al-Sahar Agri-Ventures Inc. is planning to establish a 2,600-hectare banana cavendish plantation spread out in the Maguindanao municipalities of of Mangudadatu, Talayan, Guindulungan, Barira, and Buldon. The project is expected to provide 3,900 to 5,200 jobs.
Eric Lee Group is planning to set up a manufacturing business on electronic motors to be located at Polloc Port, Parang, Maguindanao. DS3 Management will construct a P400-million oil depot in Parang, Maguindanao to be used by Iron Blaze Inc. for its petroleum trade.
RBOI-Armm chairman lawyer Ishak V. Mastura, in an interview with reporters earlier, said that they have observed a spike in the number of investments coming in the region due to increased investor confidence brought by the stability and better security situation in the area.
For 2015, they are hoping to exceed the P3.867 billion value of investments generated in 2014.
As of the first quarter alone, the region has generated P863.05 million in investments, exceeding its target of P700 million by 123 percent or P163.05 million during the period.