The ECCP officially launched the Bangsamoro Agri-Enterprise Program (BAEP) Creating Responsible Competitive Enterprises (CRESCENT) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Agribusiness Sector as one of the implementing partners of the EU-funded BAEP Project on February 15, 2024, in Davao City.

The BAEP CRESCENT Project is a 4-year initiative aimed at contributing to a peaceful, cohesive, secure, and inclusively developed Bangsamoro by promoting rural and value chain development to enhance agriculture and rural enterprise.

Among those in attendance at the launch were Mr. Florian Gottein, ECCP Executive Director; Ms. Myrto Christofidou, Programme Officer for Peacebuilding/Rural Development at the EU Delegation; Datu Hamsur J. Zaid, Project Director of the BAEP Steering Committee and Chief of Agriculture Modernization and Agricultural Development (AMAD) in MAFAR -Maguindanao, Ms. Rosslaini J. Alonto-Sinarimbo, Director General of the Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism – BARMM; Mr. Gerry D. Constantino, Project Coordinator of BAEP CRESCENT; Mr. Tony Peralta, BARMM Program Coordinator of the BAEP CRESCENT Project; and Dr. Adrian Tamayo, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chief of Public Relations.

Additionally, the launch was also attended by the eleven (11) BAEP CRESCENT business and institutional partners committed to supporting BARMM’s agri-fisheries sector, as introduced by Mr. Peralta. These companies include Development Bank of the Philippines, Al Amanah Islamic Investment Bank, Harbor Star Shipping, Marine Algae Products, Powertech Asia, WCTI, Nestle Philippines, Leading Edge Air Services Corporation, Bukidnon Giant Bamboo Resources Corporation, Smartpay Asia, and Small Business Corporation.