PEZA-ARMM to create economic zone

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is partnering with the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for the creation of its first economic zone in the region. PEZA Director-Director Charito Plaza said she already sent one of her deputies to speak with ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman to kickstart the planning of the ecozone. “He (Gov. Hatamam) was very happy,” Plaza said adding that the governor cited PEZA for being the first government agency to come to talk about creating employment by bringing in new investments. Plaza said there have been many Middle East investors who wanted to put up halal-certified food production hubs in the country. These investors are also involved in cosmetics and garments manufacturing and “everything that Muslims are using.” Plaza explained that under the ARMM charter, it can create its own PEZA but it is not really functioning. Under this new plan, there will be a PEZA regional office in ARMM. “We will now come up with a memorandum of agreement where PEZA will be the one to handle the economic zone,” she said. There will also be a need for more skills training for ARMM to handle marketing and investment promotions that PEZA can provide. (BCM)