Onward with regional economic growth, the 5th ARMM Business Congress

All roads lead to Lamitan, Basilan on June 26-27 as the province hosts this year’s ARMM Business Congress.

Now on its 5th year, the ARMM Business Congress is the biggest gathering of key individuals from the regional government, the business sector, non-government organizations and donor communities.

The event serves as an effective venue for the discussion of the pressing socio-economic issues and concerns of the region. ARMM Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan said that the business congress is a vital link between the regional government and the business sector towards the implementation of programs and policies that are essential to socio-economic development.

The 5th ARMM Business Congress is a joint undertaking of the Municipal Government of Lamitan, the Provincial Government of Basilan, ARMM Regional Government, ARMM Business Council, Autonomous Basilan Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Growth with Equity in Mindanao-USAID.

In line with the theme “Sustaining Business and Industry Development in the ARMM”, the 5th ARMM Business Congress will continue the gains that were made during the previous congresses and open up additional business opportunities in the region particularly to host province Basilan.

"The Congress is aimed at continuously strengthening the partnership among the vital stakeholders of peace and development in the ARMM. It is designed to promote peace and social progress through the establishment of a sound and stable local economy,"says Haron Bandila, ARMM Business Council Chairman and Undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF)-ARMM.

The colorful and vibrant Lami-Lamihan Festival, which is an annual celebration observed by the people of Lamitan, will be among the highlights of the 5th ARMM Business Congress. Lami-Lamihan features the natural bounties of the municipality including the rich and diverse cultural heritage of its people.

“We have really prepared for this big event. It is our chance to showcase what Lamitan has and prove wrong the perception that our place continue to be the lair of lawless elements. Our town is home to dynamic and peace-loving people, pristine beaches and other scenic spots,” says Lamitan Mayor Roderick H. Furigay.

Other highlights of the congress include trade and product exhibits, business matching sessions and the plenary sessions on key economic and policy issues.

The conduct of the previous congresses has been instrumental in improving the business climate in the region. It garnered the confidence of local businessmen and lured crucial investments into the region. Host province also benefits from media attention that the annual congress gets � providing local government units the chance to showcase the potentials of their place as prime destinations for tourists as well as investors.

“I hope that when people hear of the place Lamitan, the first thing that would get into their mind will be the conduct of the 5th ARMM Business Congress and other good things about our place instead of the infamous incident that happened here several years ago,” Furigay said.

Basilan’s flourishing rubber industry is expected to get an additional boost with the conduct of the business congress. The provincial government of Basilan targets to make the province the “Rubber Capital” of the country - a move that is being fully supported by the ARMM Regional Government.

The development of Basilan’s rubber industry was one of the priority projects cited by Regional Governor Ampatuan during his first state of the region address.

“The preparations that we have exerted for this year’s business congress improve the chance that the gains that were made during the previous ones will be doubled. Our major industries such as rubber, seaweeds and the Halal will greatly benefit from this event,” Amaptuan said. (BPI-ARMM)