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)