The Bangsamoro is entering a lot of challenges but also of opportunities. It is so because it is a political process fraught with risks. 

Atty Ishak Mastura, Chair of the Regional Board of Investments of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

 

With the signing of the Mindanao peace agreement in March the expectations for increased jobs and development are high. The local business community has a vital role to play in this post-agreement scenario. 

 
On 25 April 2014, Conciliation Resources and our local partner,  Mindanao Business Council, hosted a consultation among the business sector in Muslim Mindanao. For the first time the major business clubs in the region had a chance to analyse together and discuss the recently signed Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and its implications for economic development in the area.
 
In addition, it created a space for them to consider how they could influence the new Bangsamoro Basic Law, the equivalent to a constitution for this region.
 

Engaging with the EU: peace through investment 

 
The consultation was followed by a dialogue with a delegation of nine European embassies and the European Union, headed by EU ambassador Guy Ledoux, who had requested to meet some of Mindanao’s business leaders. The delegation and the leaders had an open exchange of perspectives and an honest discussion on the future of EU investment in Mindanao. 

Investments are important but the EU investors find it difficult to come in if there are serious security issues.  It might be wise to address issues of insecurity first.

Ambassador Thomas Ossowski, Germany

 

The consultation is part of a EU-funded project that supports the peace process through promoting public participation. The project is implemented by eight local partners from diverse sectors: youth, women, indigenous peoples, the academe, media and business. 

 
In Mindanao, Conciliation Resources has been supporting the formal peace talks as well as working to promote public participation in the peace process more broadly. Read more about our work here.