COTABATO CITY—The Bangsamoro Board of Investments (BBOI) anticipates an upswing in investments in the Halal food industry in the region, propelled by the successful opening of a new Halal restaurant on April 24, at Timako Hill in Barangay Kalangan II, in this city.
BBOI Chairperson Mohammad Pasigan said, “the opening of this Halal restaurant marks the beginning of a potentially huge market, fueled by a large, fast-growing population of Muslims in the city and in the region who are looking for products and services aligned with their Islamic way of life.”
He further stressed, “this move to adopt the Halal standard will allow the investors the opportunity to raise the standard of halal foods and further strengthen the perception and market share of halal products in the regional food trade.”
Locals from this city and nearby towns can now enjoy the beach-type ambiance and newly-opened ‘Timako Bay Seafood Resto’, a Halal restaurant that serves local seafood dishes, Maguindanaon delicacies, and offers catering services with a function hall that can accommodate a maximum of 200 people.
The BBOI led the grand opening of the said establishment with a total project cost of Php22.5 million which could generate 30 local workers.
The restaurant is a registered business enterprise (RBE) of the Bangsamoro Board of Investments with its application for registration approved last February 27, 2023.
Pasigan said the establishment of this new Halal restaurant is a testament to the vibrant and growing business ecosystem in the Bangsamoro region.
“We are very glad that, finally, a Halal restaurant [which was registered in BBOI] opens for the first time in our region. Hopefully, more investors that focus on the Halal industry will put up their companies in BARMM and in the city,” Pasigan said.
Also present during the launch of the said establishment were former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) – ARMM Secretary Atty. Anwar Malang, former Rajah Buayan Mayor Yacob Ampatuan, Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) – BARMM Commissioner Nas Dunding, former Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Bansawan Ibrahim, former Department of Trade and Investments (DTI) Provincial Director Khalikuzaman Baraguir and Engr. Michael Agar, a representative from the Office of the City Mayor.
BBOI remains committed to promoting investment opportunities in the Halal food sector and fostering a conducive environment for entrepreneurs to thrive in the region. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO)
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