COTABATO CITY, PHILIPPINES – The European Union-funded BAEP-CRESCENT Project successfully organized its first BARMM Investment and Trade Advocacy Forum on January 13-14, 2026 at the KCC Cotabato Convention and Events Center, Cotabato City. The forum marked a key milestone in advancing the European Union’s support to peacebuilding, inclusive economic growth, and private sector development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

In his opening remarks, MAFAR Minister Abunawas L. Maslamama stressed the importance of pursuing prosperity to strengthen peace and development in the region. He highlighted the need to build on peace dividends to improve the lives and future of the Bangsamoro people.

In her message of support, Ms. Myrto Christofidou of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines stated, “The European Union has been a long-standing partner of the region. We believe that the national and regional administration, the local authorities, and the private sector have an important role to play in finding sustainable and locally owned solutions.”

Implemented under the EU Bangsamoro Agri-Enterprise Programme (BAEP), the BAEP CRESCENT Project event was carried out in close coordination with the Bangsamoro Government, particularly, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), the Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT), and the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA). The two-day forum provided a high-level, multi-stakeholder platform for strengthening coordination of investment and trade advocacy matters between national and BARMM government institutions, private sector actors, financial institutions, development partners, and other EU-funded BAEP implementing partners.

Discussions focused on reinforcing collaborative approaches to rural development, agricultural value chain strengthening as well as investment and trade promotion as pathways to sustaining peace, stability, and inclusive development in the BARMM.  The forum directly contributed to the EU BAEP-CRESCENT’s objective of aligning public and private sector advocacy interventions to improve market access, enterprise competitiveness, and livelihood opportunities for micro, small, and medium agri-enterprises (MSMEs) in underserved communities.

The event was attended by senior representatives of the Bangsamoro Government, including MAFAR Minister Abunawas Maslamama, MAFAR Deputy Minister Aisah Abdullah-Sanggacala PhD, MAFAR DG for Fisheries Services Pendatun S. Patarasa, DG for Agriculture Services Engr. Ismail A. Guiamel, AMAD Chief Datu Hamsur Zaid, MTIT Director Hussein Biruar, and MTIT Senior Trade and Investment Specialist Amina Karon-Mendez.

Also in attendance were key national government agencies such as the National Security Council (NSC), represented by Gen. Romeo Racadio, and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), represented by Dr. Adrian Tamayo. Participation from the financial sector included the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the Small Business Corporation (SBC), while private sector engagement was demonstrated through the presence of the BARMM Business Council President Atty. Ronald Torres, and leading companies operating in agriculture, energy, and manufacturing. Participating also were development partners, including UNDP, UNIDO, IOM, OXFAM, and the Manila Water Foundation, reinforcing complementarity and coordination among development actors supported by the European Union.

The first day of the forum featured panel discussions comprising public and private stakeholders, addressing priority themes aligned with EU peace and development objectives, including peace and security, enabling infrastructure, access to finance and markets, and climate-smart agriculture. These sessions facilitated policy-relevant dialogue and knowledge exchange to inform investment and development planning in the region.

Session 2B Panelists: (L-R) Sittie B. Kusain of Al Amanah Cotabato City; Amina Karon-Mendez of MTIT; Monawara M. Abdulbadie of MOST; Caroline Macabenta of SBCorp.; Lamia G. Aliman of MAFAR; and Cesar Cuyugan Jr. of BAEP-CRESCENT.

Session 3 Panelists: (L-R) Cesar Cuyugan Jr. of BAEP-CRESCENT; Vasyl Goshovsky of HEAD Sports Philippines; Joniel Gedoria of IOM; Saada Maniri of Cafe Saikou and RBFAC; Brandon Hargraves of Algatrop; Dr. Jalika Mangacop of YJM Farms; Jake Almanzor of BAEP-CRESCENT; Engr. Ramon Barbosa of Amparitas Integrated Farms; Lester dela Cerna of PCA-BARMM; Datu Hamsur Zaid of MAFAR; and Gerry Constantino of BAEP-CRESCENT.

The second day focused on partnership presentations and highlighted private sector participation in infrastructure and agribusiness. Presentations were made by companies and local enterprises on their involvement with the BAEP-CRESCENT Project. These sessions showcased concrete examples of partnerships and investments contributing to value chain development and inclusive economic participation in the BARMM. It also showcased the EU BAEP-CRESCENT Industry Champions.

Infrastructure Panelists: (L-R) Engr. Rose Nabor, Kenram Palmoil; Tony Peralta, EU BAEP CRESCENT; Jose Quinto, PNOC; Jasper Daquigan, Manila Water Foundation; Ricky Yong, Fat Hopes Energy; Jan Daniel Remo, Converge ICT; and Lester John Acla, GreenFibr.

Agri-fisheries Panelists: (L-R) Engr. Ramon Barbosa, Amparitas; Jake Almanzor, EU BAEP CRESCENT; Dr. Jalika Mangacop, One Maguindanao Coconut Industry Council; Saada Maniri, MIS/RBFAC; Noran Panalunsong, Al-Noor Salam Farms; and Brandon Hargraves, Algatrop.

Simultaneously, a product exhibition was also held during the two-day forum, providing local enterprises, cooperatives, and institutions with increased visibility and direct engagement with potential partners and investors. Participating exhibitors represented priority value chains supported by BAEP and included producer organizations, cooperatives, financial institutions, government agencies, and EU-funded BAEP implementing partners.

Through this activity, the European Union, through the BAEP-CRESCENT Project, strengthened multi-level coordination, enhanced private sector business confidence, and supported the promotion of an enabling environment for sustainable and inclusive investment in the BARMM. The forum contributed to the overarching EU objective of supporting a peaceful, cohesive, secure, and economically resilient Bangsamoro, with pathways for private sector-led growth and community-level impact.

Crowdshots of Day 1 (L) and Day 2 (R).

The EU BAEP-CRESCENT Project is funded by the European Union in the Philippines and implemented by European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) under the Bangsamoro Agri-Enterprise Programme (BAEP). The program aims to support small to medium-sized producers and businesses in the agri-fishery value chains as well as the Halal sector and the promotion of private sector investment throughout the BARMM region.