The advantages and challenges in conducting business within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) under a federal state were discussed by government officials and local businessmen during the "Forum on the Business Experience of Autonomy vis-a-vis Federalism in the ARMM: The ARMM Case."
The event, held on September 7, is part
of a series headed by the Regional Board of Investments-ARMM (RBOI-ARMM) to
tackle the different implications of a shift to federalism in the region.
The forum featured four speakers who
discussed different aspects of business in the ARMM and explored what await the
region should the shift to federalism be realized within the next few years.
A quick course on federalism was also
conducted by Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo, co-convenor of the Bangsamoro Study Group.
He cited changes under federalism that can open opportunities for economic
growth which includes decentralization of processing and approval of licenses
and permits, better access to a robust market, and policy stability.
During the forum, the participants noted
the ease of business that comes investing in the autonomous region despite the
unique challenges in the area.
They are also optimistic that it can only
get better given a possible shift to a federal system.
The RBOI-ARMM hopes that these
discussions will aid stakeholders in understanding how the changes in the
national government will translate in the regional level as the push towards
federalism gains momentum.
Atty. Ishak Mastura, Chairman of
RBOI-ARMM, said that preparations for the next installments of the forum series
are already underway. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)
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