Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Leo Tereso Magno cited Thursday the role of the Halal sector in this island region’s economic growth, considering it a “priority agenda” in the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
Magno made the statement after the successful holding of the Halal Industry Conference in Manila earlier this week.
“We can continue the pursuit of establishing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) intended for Halal food production to attract investors and contribute to driving local economies, particularly in Mindanao with a keen lookout for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM),” he said.
He said the recently concluded trade investment and halal conference initiated by private partner sectors in the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) proved the seriousness of the private sector to assist the government.
He described the initiative as “an inspiring development for the government” as it shows the active coordination of the private sector in the BIMP-EAGA, now partially private sector-led and market-driven.
“This means more work for us in the government. We need to sustain the efforts that we are seeing in the private sector through sound and facilitative policies,” Magno added.
In developing the BIMP-EAGA subregion, he said, the island region is assured of the steady hand of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who advocates for peace and order in Mindanao.
“As we look to the future, we must continue to build on our successes, embrace new opportunities, and work together to create a prosperous and sustainable sub-region. With its vast economic potential, the Halal industry will play a crucial role in this journey,” he said. (PNA)
