proper utilization

Muslim region businessmen to discuss seaweed, fruit dev’t
GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The 7th Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Business Congress slated at the provincial gymnasium in the Islamic City of Marawi this Aug. 5-6 will focus on the development of seaweed, fruit and abaca industries, the area’s top dollar earners, officials said on Friday.

"This event is a timely opportunity to show potential investors that business is alive and well in the region," said Datu Haron U. Bandila, president of the ARMM Business Council (ABC), which is spearheading the event.

"Activities like this [will] help the business sector to become more competitive and responsive to the demands of local and foreign markets," said Mangondaya Solaiman, president of the Maranaw Chamber of Commerce and Industry, host chamber and co-organizer of the congress.

This year’s congress will feature plenary sessions on the impact of the global financial crisis and on how to maximize ARMM’s resources in fisheries, aquaculture and farm production, organizers said.

Business-matching sessions will also be held between local entrepreneurs and potential investors, which include foreign delegates from the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area and the Middle East.

Participants will also present recommendations to the ARMM regional government on how to make it easier to do business in the region and to attract more investment.

The autonomous Muslim region covers the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi. — Romer S. Sarmiento