CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) jointly launched the first Philippine Leadership Training Programme on Industrial Parks in Mindanao on April 15 at the Acacia Hotel, Davao City.
Welcoming over 70 government officials representing 34 local government units (LGUs) and three government agencies, including MinDA, BARMM Economic Zone Authority, and the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), the week-long program aims to equip leaders with essential skills and strategies for industrial park development, operation, and management. It seeks to accelerate industrial growth and economic development across the Philippines.
Director General and Managing Director Fatou Haidara emphasized UNIDO’s commitment to support economic and industrial development in the Philippines by advancing industrial parks as catalysts of growth and transformation.
“If implemented properly, industrial parks can create ecosystems that benefit people and the environment beyond serving as mere business and investment attraction models,’’ Haidara adds via her video-recorded message during the opening program.
The program includes a series of training sessions covering various aspects of industrial parks. UNIDO experts will share insights and expertise on industrial park models, such as eco-industrial parks and agro-food parks. It will also highlight lectures on investment and green financing, as well as China’s economic breakthrough and the country’s success stories, contributing knowledge and successful experiences to the discussions.
“Economic zones are not merely spaces of production but catalysts for change, engines of economic advancement, and bridges to international cooperation. They hold the potential to propel export promotion, attract foreign direct investments (FDIs), generate employment opportunities, and foster linkages within the BIMP-EAGA community,” MinDA Executive Director Usec. Janet Lopoz said.
She added that there are currently 37 ecozones in Mindanao, with 17 in Davao, 10 in northern Mindanao, eight in Soccsksargen, and one each in Zamboanga and Caraga. These ecozones encompass various sectors, including agro-industrial, IT parks, manufacturing, and tourism, reflecting the rich tapestry of economic opportunities present in our region.
Teddy Monroy, the UNIDO Country Representative in the Philippines, likewise underscored the importance of industrial parks as “platforms where the Philippines can maximize the benefits from private sector investments to achieve sustainable economic growth, generate decent quality jobs, and attain human capital development while safeguarding the environment, improving resiliency, and addressing climate change challenges.
The program will also incorporate local expertise from the Board of Investments (BoI) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to complement these international perspectives. Private sector representatives from Aboitiz InfraCapital and Zamboanga Economic Zone will share their valuable experiences and best practices in industrial park development and management. Following this, a study tour to Anflo Industrial Park will provide participants with practical insights into real-world industrial park operations in the Philippines.
The program will culminate with a forum on April 19, dubbed “Unlocking Industrial Economic Opportunities: Leveraging Industrial Parks and Zones in the Philippines,” consolidating the week’s learnings and guiding participants towards actionable strategies for industrial growth. (MinDA/PIA-10)
