Ex-NEDA chief to Mindanao bizmen: Tap into ASEAN market

ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, Philippines – Mindanao businessmen should seize  opportunities in the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) market, former socio-economic planning secretary Cielito Habito told a gathering of Mindanao business leaders on Wednesday, September 2.

Habito, who served as National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chief during the Ramos administration, made the call to more than 200 businessmen at the 24th Mindanao Business Conference hosted by the Dipolog City Chamber of Commerce.

He said that ASEAN countries have a big Muslim population that Mindanao businessmen can cater to.

“Even if the Muslims are a minority in the Philippines and in Mindanao, the opportunity to serve the ASEAN market is high because majority of its population is Muslim. And to serve the Muslim market can be best tapped by Mindanao, especially the Muslims areas, the Halal areas,” he said.

Habito said that some Filipino companies already doing good business in ASEAN countries, but he acknowledged that there’s a need to first “change our mindset.”

“We tend to be afraid with the competition and the threats. And if we have that kind of mindset, we’ll never realize opportunities (in doing business with ASEAN countries). If we are just proactive and not defensive, we will benefit much with ASEAN market,” he said.

Former finance secretary Juanita Amatong said governance reforms are needed, as well as improvements in infrastructure  to make the country, and particularly Mindanao, more competitive.

“We should be a good member of our regional grouping by making our reforms credible to create trust,” Amatong said.

She also said that Mindanao continues to have weak infrastructure. “It’s a matter of priorities in utilizing the economic development fund,” Amatong  said. – Rappler.com