Misuari invites RI firms to invest in Mindanao

Misuari invites RI firms to invest in Mindanao

MANILA (JP): Governor of the Philippine region of Mindanao,
Nur Misuari, is inviting Indonesian businesspeople to invest in
the war-torn area by offering special incentives.

At a dinner with chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, Aburizal Bakrie, here Wednesday, Misuari
said Mindanao could offer tax holidays and other incentives to
Indonesian businesspeople.

"We are offering business in the fields of transportation,
television and radio broadcasting, oil refineries, mining and
palm oil plantations and many other fields." he said.

He said Mindanao was trying to get rid of the red tape as part
of its efforts to improve the business climate.

He said President Fidel Ramos had agreed to allow Mindanao to
prepare basic infrastructure to attract foreign investment.

Last December, Indonesian private firm PT Ariobimo Ekakarma
signed a cooperation agreement with Mindanao to develop local and
transnational television broadcasting services.

Ariobimo Ekakarma is now preparing to establish an ASEAN TV
Broadcasting Service to relay programs to ASEAN countries.

Ariobimo will also develop a coconut oil refinery on the
island worth about US$30 million.

"Indonesia as well as Brunei and Malaysia will have the
priority to invest in Mindanao," Misuari said, adding that there
were some Indonesians investing in housing and real estate in
Mindanao.

He said Mindanao had some financial assistants from the
Islamic Development Bank and the Organization of Islamic
Conference.

"They are always extending help but I hope this will be
different from the assistance we may expect from the Middle East
states. We need much support even in terms of humanitarian
assistance," he said.

Aburizal said Indonesia had developed an appropriate
relationship with Mindanao.

"We have good access in Mindanao, protecting potential
investors from possible bureaucracy."

Aburizal, who is also the ASEAN Chambers of Commerce and
Industry president, was in Manila to promote the first ASEAN
business summit which will be held in Jakarta next month.

Misuari, the former Moslem rebel chief who took the oath last
October as governor of this autonomous Moslem area, said Aburizal
was among his closest Indonesian friends.

"I think he will play a very important role in our economy. I
know that he wants to participate in our industry," he said.
(icn)