Wednesday, September 16, 2015

MILF: Phil business execs meet MILF leadership

Posted to the MILF Website (Sep 16): Phil business execs meet MILF leadership

Phil business execs meet MILF leadership


The biggest names in Philippines business community were the guests of the MILF Central Committee on September 14 primarily to dialogue and explore possibilities of investment in the Bangsamoro.

Many of them Makati-based, the business executives were addressed by MILF Chairman Alhaj Murad Ebrahim and Central Committee members over subject matters delving mostly on the BBL and prospects for business ventures.
The blue chip companies represented in the delegtaion were Ayala Corporation, Globe Telecom, Manila Water Company, Ayala Land Incorporated, Unifrutti, Agumill Philippines, Roxas Holdings Incorporated, First Agri Holdings/FCMI, MERALCO, and PLDT. Business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan also sent a representative.

All are members of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), an influential NGO that promotes inclusive development. They were also joined by visiting World Bank Vice-President for East Asia and Pacific Axel van Trotsenburg and JICA officials based in Manila.

Chairman Ebrahim described the visit as a “strong manifestation of your (businessmen’s) keen interest in helping us achieve our common aspirations.” The MILF highest leader also believed that the visit also gives hope for everyone even if there are some challenges in the political aspect of the peace process. He expressed his wish that the business sector can help in moving the political aspect.

He told the businessmen that the struggle of the MILF will “not bear fruits unless everybody will be on-board, especially the private sector.”

“The process is just a means to achieve peace, then  after that  it is the turn of everyone to work to realize the dividends of peace,” he also said in his welcome words.

Chairman Ebrahim stressed that the MILF has always been willing to talk to the business community. He urged businessmen to identify areas where they can play their roles and discuss how they can cooperate with each other.

When asked how this cooperation can be operationalized, the MILF chief emphasized that in any undertaking, the need for a mechanism or structure is indispensable. He suggested that a coordinating structure between the business sector and the MILF be set up.

Chairman Ebrahim explained that in a similar fashion the MILF has already established structures of development since 2003, particularly the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) and the recently-launched Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP).

As early as January 2013 businessman John Perrine of Unifrutti Group Phil, a Davao-based exporter of Cavendish bananas, visited Chairman Ebrahim to discuss business concerns.

Few days after the National Peace Summit was held last April 27, BTC Chairman Mohagher Iqbal extended invitation to big businessmen to have a personal dialogue with the leadership of the Front.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/new/item/572-phil-business-execs-meet-milf-leadership

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