25 November 2012 – The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur reported that as a follow-up to the successful signing of the Framework Agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Embassy, in cooperation with the Putrajaya Chamber of Commerce, will be conducting the Mindanao Business Networking Forum on November 29 at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel.

"Even since the signing of the Framework Agreement, there has been tremendous interest from Malaysian companies on investing in Mindanao. The forum capitalizes on this interest, and we hope that this would translate to actual sizable investments. We believe that through vigorous economic development drive, in tandem with the consolidation of peace, Mindanao will not only live up to its name as 'the land of promise', but become in fact promise fulfilled," Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya said.

Expected to be present are MinDA Chairman and Signing Minister for Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines-East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Luwalhati Antonino, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Mujiv Hataman and other key officials from the region and from Malaysia. They will be accompanied by some 50 businessmen from Mindanao

This by-invitation forum aims to present to Malaysian businessmen and women and investors the current trade and investment opportunities in Mindanao, particularly in the following sectors: agriculture/agri-business development; tourism development; infrastructure development, particularly transport, power and renewable energy; and services, particularly Islamic finance and ICT-enabled services.

There will also be a chance for Filipino and Malaysian businessmen to interact in breakout sessions, as well as in one-on-one meetings with their counterparts.

Malaysian companies expected to attend include Berjaya Corporation, Genting Plantations, Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation, Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd, and Philippine Airlines (AirPhil) Malaysia, among others.

The Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Malaysia, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) and MATRADE Manila have also confirmed participation in the event.

The forum is in cooperation with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Malaysia, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Government, Department of Trade and Industry, Board of Investments, and Department of Agriculture, MATRADE, and other supporting organizations in Malaysia.

It is also supported by the Putrajaya Chamber of Commerce and the Berjaya Times Square.

It is also a follow-up activity to the Philippines-Malaysia Investment Partnership Forum held last May 29 in Kuala Lumpur, where Vice President Jejomar Binay was the guest of honor and keynote speaker, and the ARMM Mindanao Investment Forum, scheduled on November 23 to 26 in Cotabato City.

Chairman Antonino, Governor Hataman and other members of the Philippine delegation will also be participating in the BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT Consumer Fair in Melaka from November 30 to December 2.

The Fair will showcase Philippine high-value agri-fishery products and tourism destinations, which will be participated in by 50 exhibitors from Mindanao and Palawan. END