BASILAN — Local government units (LGU) from the municipal and provincial government of Basilan underwent an orientation on Networking Investment for Local Executives (NILE) and Investments Priorities Plan (IPP) roadshow with the Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) on Nov. 25 in Isabela City.
Director Shamera Abobakar of the MTIT-Bureau of Investments (BOI) said that NILE is a capacity building program designed to empower the LGUs to initiate investment promotions at their level in order to make parallel efforts to boost domestic investments.
Abobakar stressed that it is important to have a business center in each municipality as it will be a venue for investment promotion of the area.
“Dapat po sana lahat ng municipality ng Basilan merong business center, kaso dalawa palang po ang meron tayo. Lumapit po kayo sa MTIT kapag gusto niyo po ng training on how to manage negosyo center, dahil kailangan po natin ito. Ito po ang magpapalakad ng business processing investment promotion sa ating lugar lalo na dito sa Basilan,” Abobakar said.
She also mentioned that the Bangsamoro Government has targeted targeted Agriculture, Agribusiness, Aquaculture, Fisheries, Islamic Financing and Banking, Energy, Halal Industry, Tourism, Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Infrastructure Projects, and Information Communication Technology (ICT) as the major projects for economic growth and development.
“May plano na po tayong magkaroon ng nautical highway para sa buong BARMM Region. This is very timely kasi yung barter trade implementing rules and regulations malapit na pong maging batas. Ito na po ang magiging freedom trade-fort para when we engage barter trading with other country like Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand madali nalang dahil legal na sya,” Abobakar said.
In his message, MTIT Minister Abuamri Taddik called on everyone to work together and work as one Bangsamoro for the economic development of the region.
“Let us be partners on trade, investments, and tourism to facilitate support and promotion of our municipalities, anchored on our shared mission and vision for the economic growth of our Bangsamoro people and our BARMM region,” Minister Taddik said.
He also ensured that with strong collaboration and partnership, MTIT-BOI could help Basilan be the next investment destination as the province is rich with resources like renewable energy, agriculture, and fish industry, among others.
Maluso Mayor Hanie Bud, also Basilan League of Mayors President, praised the MTIT for conducting the activity which will help boost investments and opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
“I am deeply elated to have seen everyone participating in this 1st ever orientation on NILE. Once this is realized, we shall be have a good future especially to our local entrepreneurship and our local individuals who are into business. We would like to extend our congratulations to MTIT-BARMM for this initiative.” Mayor Bud said. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
