MINDANAO has seen a notable increase in the establishment of honorary consulates since 2016, with at least 23 offices, primarily located across the region. This rise in diplomatic representation signals a strategic effort to attract investment and boost economic opportunities across the island.
Speaking at the Business Matters forum at Abreeza Mall on Friday, February 21, 2025, Tony Peralta, chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines-Southern Mindanao Business Council (ECCP-SMBC), emphasized that the growing presence of honorary consulates plays a key role in strengthening Mindanao’s international ties, promoting trade, and facilitating business partnerships that can drive regional growth.
According to Peralta, these offices serve as vital bridges between local enterprises and foreign markets, positioning Mindanao to unlock new economic potential and further integrate the island into the global economy.
"There has been an upsurge of interest from the private sector. We want to inform the general public about what Mindanao is all about... The upsurge means Mindanao is the safest place to invest in, as all the countries we have approached wanted to invest here," the official said.
In 2024, Peralta highlighted a significant development, revealing that within just one month, three countries such as Norway, Belgium, and Switzerland have committed to establishing consulates in the region. This marks a strong indication of Mindanao's growing appeal on the international stage.
For example, the Belgium Honorary Consulate for Mindanao opened in September 2024 with a focus on making significant investments in the cacao industry in Davao Oriental. The consulate has already facilitated partnerships with at least 20 local cooperatives, each owning one to two hectares of farmland in the province. These cooperatives are collaborating with the European-based nation to enhance the region's cacao production, highlighting the growing interest in Mindanao's agricultural sector and its potential for international business collaboration.
Peralta said that the Romanian government has expressed strong interest in exploring economic investment opportunities in Mindanao, with plans to establish an honorary consulate office in General Santos City. This development highlights Romania's growing commitment to fostering economic ties with the region, further solidifying Mindanao's reputation as a promising destination for international investments.
Romania has a diverse and thriving industrial base, with key sectors including construction, manufacturing, telecommunications, aerospace, and weapons production. The country is a significant player in infrastructure development and international construction projects, while its manufacturing industry covers a wide range of products, from automotive to machinery.
The 23 countries with honorary consulates in the region are Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, and Switzerland. Additionally, Spain maintains an honorary consulate in Zamboanga City.
Meanwhile, Davao City is also home to four consulate-generals: China, Indonesia, Japan, and Malaysia.
In the last quarter of 2024, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) conducted a perception study using a systematic sampling method similar to those employed by SWS and Pulse Asia Surveys. The study revealed that Mindanao's overall safety rating increased to 89.69 percent, up from 88 percent in 2023, with a 3 percent margin of error. This positive shift in perception reflects the views of over 7,000 respondents, who indicated that Mindanao is considered a safe place for both residents and businesses. The growing sense of safety is also evident in the influx of foreign investments in the region.
Notably, Basilan was identified as the safest area in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm), with an impressive safety rating of 95 percent. This further underscores the region's progress and the increasing confidence in its stability and business climate. DEF