THE first ever Philippine Industrial Summit has put premium in raising the bar of business assertiveness in the industrial sector.
Kodus to PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority Administrator and CEO, Lawyer Franklin Quijano who took the lead of placing Mindanao in the pedestal of industrial revolution.
That said, the four day industrial convergence which will culminate with a job fair at the USTP campus today had opened up opportunities among key players and champions of industry, both from the local and global fronts.
Indeed the summit has kick-started in pushing the region forward to the next level of economic progress.
Through the years, there never was enough economic development in Mindanao basically aimed at improving infrastructure, enhance connectivity and ensure balanced economic activity alongside other growth centers in the country.
As closely observed, captains of industries has unlocked in unison their power to fuel Mindanao as the next mecca of industrial development in three key areas of economic growth.
First, make Mindanao globally competitive by improving connectivity and access to local and global markets.
Second, invest in manufacturing, agriculture, electronics, tech voc and other business related programs that will propel Mindanao’s march to sustainable socio-economic development.
And third, make Mindanao globally-competitive through the placements of advanced technologies and trends by luring drivers of industries to locate permanently their investments in Mindanao.
The challenge is now up for Mindanao — to pursue socio-economic development initiatives through the four development corridors: Northern Mindanao Development Corridor, Southern Mindanao Development Corridor, Western Mindanao Development Corridor, and the Bangsamoro Development Corridor.
These growth corridors are perceived as it were to provide greater access and connectivity that can reduce transportation costs, raise the level of income, provide job opportunities and improve the competitiveness of farmers and producers alike.
Moreover, global industries that would generate jobs and infra projects consisting of ports and airports improvements, inter-regional and intermodal roads, bridges, and roll-on, roll-off shipping facilities, among others are expected to highlight the last three years of the Duterte administration.
On one hand, the economic agenda and policies of the government viz-a-viz its build, build, build infrastructure mantra must be sustained for job creation and opportunities for the country in particular, and the island of Mindanao in general.
Easier said, but it can be done. What we need is political will. ([email protected])