Cotabato City – The Bangsamoro Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) headed by the OIC-Executive Director and MTIT Deputy Minister Atty. Sukarno A. Abas, successfully conducted the 1st Multi-Stakeholder Forum on the Development of Polloc Freeport and Ecozone (PFEZ) last December 6, 2022 at Alnor Convention Hall.

During the keynote message of Senior Minister Abdulraof Abdul Macacua, he quoted: “We, at the Office of the Chief Minister, through BEZA and our partner agencies, will continue to do our best to attract investors and help our economy bounce back, This is in line with one of the goals of the 12-point agenda of the present leadership on revenue generation.”

“I congratulate BEZA for its dynamic and continuous effort to perform its mandate at its best despite some challenges. Like BEZA, the Bangsamoro Government envisions attaining total development of BARMM by accelerating economic growth,” he added.

In his opening remarks, Minister Abuamri A. Taddik of MTIT-BARMM emphasized that with the support of the concerned agencies and stakeholders, the economic growth story of the region will continue even better in the future.

He also stated, “Through the jobs and employment generated by businesses and investments, our people can gain a better and more comfortable quality of life, In Shaa Allah.”

Meanwhile, Atty. Abas gave an overview of the above-mentioned activities, noting that “It has been the aspiration of the Bangsamoro government, through the leadership of Chief Minister Hon. Ahod B. Ebrahim, to uplift the lives of the Bangsamoro and establishing the foundation for self-governance through moral governance”

“In order to realize this objective, the Bangsamoro government has identified a 12 point priority agenda, and the two are very relevant to the function of BEZA; one is revenue generation and comparative advantage, and the other is investment in transportation, communication, and other strategic infrastructures,” he added.

Further, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) through its Deputy Director General (DDG) and General Manager (GM) Mr. Aleem Siddiqui M. Guiapal, delivered a presentation on the advantages of investing in an ecozone and stated, “The reason why an ecozone has been built and set up is primary to increase and strengthen the foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country.”

Also in attendance to deliver their presentations were Chief Simeon P. Binsuan on the Updates of Polloc Freeport and Ecozone (PFEZ), Ms. Farida Biruar of Bangsamoro Board of Investments (BBOI) on Investment Opportunity in BARMM, Philippine Liner Shipping Association President Mr. Mark Matthew F. Parco on the Orientation on Tariff Rates, Freight Fees, and other Port Charges, and Dr. Erico L. Basilio, Chief of Party, USAID Respond, on Enhancing Maritime Connectivity to Promote Trade and Investment, and Mr. Herbert Tamori of Isulan ECT Construction and General Merchandise Inc., and Manager Luigi Piccolo Peña of Bangsamoro Terminal Services Inc. who gave their testimonials, insights, and experience with PFEZ.

The aforementioned event was attended by investors from Zamboanga City, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia. It was also attended by Cotabato City Deputy Mayors, Hon. Abdullah A. Andang and Hon. Noel Panalag, Port Users, the Land Use Plan Consultancy Team, Private Sectors, Business Chambers, the Bureau of Customs-BARMM, Philippine Coast Guard-BARMM, Concerned Ministries, and BEZA & PFEZ personnel.