ZAMBOANGA CITY, 2 September 2006 — Local leaders yesterday invited Asian and Filipino investors alike to come to Western Mindanao and nearby islands and take advantage of the improving business climate.
“We have a lot of investments here. Zamboanga has a very sound economy and there are many new establishments. The peace and order is very good and we are happy about these all,” city Mayor Celso Lobregat said on the second day of the 15th Mindanao Business Conference.
Asian trade representatives and Filipino businessmen flocked to Zamboanga City, the Philippines’ southern gateway, on Thursday for the three-day event being held at the convention center of the Garden Orchid Hotel.
Despite the negative publicity brought about by the occasional kidnappings and clashes in areas near Zamboanga, the city had experienced high economic growth the past years, said Lobregat, citing government reports.
He also said the improving peace and order situation has made the city become more attractive to investors. No statistics were immediately available.
Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Mohammad Pulalun, who goes by the title Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo, expanded Lobregat’s invitation by promoting the Sulu Archipelago, which comprises of Basilan, Jolo and Tawi-Tawi island-provinces as trading exchange and investment destinations.
“We have a lot to offer. The archipelago is rich in natural resources, like minerals and oil deposits. Tawi-Tawi is a beautiful tourist destination and the whole of the Sulu Archipelago is one place to invest, such as in palm plantation, oil exploration and many more,” he said.
“Basilan and Jolo are great places and rich in timber and coconuts and coffee and marine resources; our culture and heritage are similarly wealthy. We welcome you in our exotic land,” Pulalun said.
The region’s economy had repeatedly suffered setbacks over the past years due to stiff competition from a kidnap-for-ransom industry set up by various armed groups, notably the Jemaah Islamiyah-linked Abu Sayyaf.
Officials noted, however, that kidnappings had been greatly diminished since 2002 when joint Philippine and US troops flushed out the militants from Basilan. A military offensive continues in Jolo, where the militants are now said to be concentrated.
Organizers of the conference hope the event would help erase the region’s reputation as a high-risk investment area.
Even the small businessmen were hoping to cash in on the conference, dozens of them participating in trade exhibits.
“This will promote our products and restore Zamboanga’s place as a trading hub and tourist destination in this part of the Philippines,” said Muslim trader Ismael Ajijul, who sells hand-woven Yakan cloth.
Teresita Sebastian, convention director, said many of the businessmen who are participating are from Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.
Donald Dee, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was also in Zamboanga City was busy inspecting different trade exhibits, including the booth of a Malaysian motorcycle manufacturing firm, Demak Motor, which has an assembly factory in the city.
