BARMM open for business: Murad

KOTA KINABALU: Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said Malaysia is included in the Php4.153 billion investments his region secured last year.

He said among the other countries are China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and neighbouring Indonesia.

“BARMM is open for business. We want investors to come and create jobs and income to help us attain our goal of sustainable development and inclusive growth,” Ebrahim said

With the participation of these countries, he said BBARMM is expecting more influx of foreign investors this year to further spur its economy.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Hajiji says positive economic achievements prove Sabah govt’s commitment

Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, emphasised that the positive economic achievements over the past three years underscore the Sabah government’s steadfast commitment to both the administration and development of the state.

Ebrahim said his administration is thankful to Malaysia for its continuing assistance to the region and for being “very helpful in the peace process”.

Apart from the foreign investments, the Chief Minister who also heads the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said BARMM is also allotted Php65.1 billion in the 2020 National budget.

“We will focus on funding education, medical and health services, social services and “strategic” infrastructure to “catch up” with other regions,” he stressed.

Some 3,000 opportunities are available on the Bangsamoro job portal, he added.

“We are really working very hard because as long as the budget will be downloaded to us immediately then we have no reason to be delayed in our program,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ebrahim said BARMM region is allowed under the law to directly engage with foreign investors and other nations with diplomatic ties with the Philippines.

He made the remark after the outburst of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. recently on social media following the former’s meeting with diplomats in Turkey last month.

Locsin had planned to file a diplomatic protest over the matter but did not push through.

Ebrahim said his trip to Ankara from Dec 11-16 was official and he obtained permission from the Office of the President.

“Under the BOL (Bangsamoro Organic Law), there are provisions allowing us to directly engage with foreign investors and countries with diplomatic relations with the Philippines,” he said.

“There is no provision in the BOL wherein...after we (secure a) travel permit with the Office of the President, there is no provision we will still need the permission from the foreign ministry.”

Ebrahim said he was “surprised” by Locsin’s remark because the Turkish ambassador in Manila had said she sent a note verbally to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.

Daily Express Malaysia

“I did not think that will happen because the fact that I met with the consul general in Ankara shows that there’s a coordination with the foreign ministry,” he said.

He added that he had informed the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process about the issue, as it also heads the Intergovernmental Relations Body, which handles Bangsamoro’s relations with the national government.

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00