DAVAO CITY – Mindanao continues to attract investors despite perceived problems on peace and order in certain parts of the island.
The new investments poured in despite the continued military operations against the Abu Sayyaf extremist group and rogue elements of rebel groups on the strife-torn island.
According to the Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco), Mindanao registered an increase of 133.8 percent in investments during the first semester this year compared to the same period last year.
At least 18 new projects worth P4.315 billion were reportedly registered with the Board of Investments (BOI) in Mindanao during the first semester, most of them in the power sector.
It was noted though that the bulk of the new investments actually comes from local investors, accounting for 97 percent or P3.340 billion of the total investments for the first semester.
Foreign direct investments, however, went down by as much as 80 percent at only P115 million for the first semester, compared to P603.55 million in the same period last year.