Malaysian business leaders expressed strong interest in investing in Mindanao during the Philippines–Malaysia Business Networking Session held last week, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said Friday.

The high-level mission, led by MinDA on October 23 at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur, reaffirmed Mindanao’s readiness to welcome foreign capital under the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) framework.

The event brought together key business leaders from Malaysia eager to hear about viable opportunities in trade, investment, and tourism in Mindanao.

In a statement, MinDA Secretary Leo Tereso Magno underscored Mindanao’s readiness to welcome Malaysian investments in strategic sectors such as agribusiness, infrastructure, and renewable energy.

“Our unified message for this mission is clear: Mindanao is open for business,” he said.

Joining Magno were Minister Farserina Mohammad of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao – Ministry of Trade, Investment, and Tourism (BARMM – MTIT) and Atty. Karen Mae Baydo, assistant chief operating officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

Areas of interest

Kelvin Kee, representing the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry, praised Mindanao’s evolving economic landscape. He noted that Malaysian business groups are keen on fostering mutually beneficial partnerships.

“We see tremendous potential for collaboration between Malaysian and Philippine enterprises, particularly in agribusiness, halal trade, renewable energy, tourism, and logistics,” Kee said. He added that Malaysia’s experience in developing a halal ecosystem aligns seamlessly with Mindanao’s strong agricultural foundation.

Kee also noted that Malaysia’s role as a manufacturing and logistics hub complements the Philippines’ expanding service economy and dynamic workforce, making cross-border collaboration a natural fit.

Widely recognized as the Philippines’ food basket, Mindanao accounts for 36% of the country’s farmland and 42% of its total food trade.

The mission reflects the strategic priority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration to promote Mindanao as a hub for international investment and regional integration, aligning with his Agenda for Prosperity and Transformative Development. (PNA)