Government identifies 6 potential ‘sunshine industries’ for Mindanao

THE government has identified six potential “sunshine industries” in Mindanao that could help the region industrialize and lift millions out of poverty, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said.

In a statement, the agency identified these as agro-industry, halal, eco-tourism, renewable-energy, mineral resources, and information and communication technologies.

The development of these industries is incorporated in the region’s Long-Term Mindanao Development Plan, which will provide a blueprint for spurring economic growth in the region for the next 10 years, the Neda said.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and Neda Director General Cayetano W. Paderanga Jr. has already endorsed the framework to Malacañang.

“The Mindanao Strategic Development Framework outlines the directions and strategies that maximize the resources and potentials of the region for 2010 to 2020,” the agency said.

“The framework pushes for the development of sustainable resource-based industrialization, improvement of employment generation, and establishment of efficient logistics support,” it said.

The framework stresses the need to have effective peace-building strategies and strong governance and partnership with the private sector.

It will also involve multilevel participation of different stakeholders for an inclusive peace process, which is one of the priority concerns of the new administration.

The Neda said it envisions Mindanao to be strong, sustainable, competitive and a resource-based economy that will be responsive to local and global opportunities by 2020 even as it recognizes the challenges on poverty, conflict, economic and physical linkages, and governance.

The Mindanao Neda Regional Offices and the ARMM-Regional Planning and Development Office led the creation of the framework. It was endorsed by all the Regional Development Councils of Mindanao and the Regional Economic Development and Planning Board of the ARMM. –Cai U. Ordinario / Reporter, Businessworld