03/08/2026
๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐ '๐ ๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฒ๐๐ต ๐๐ป๐ป๐๐ฎ๐น ๐ฆ๐๐ญ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ ๐ฎ๐น๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐ฎ
The Bangsamoro Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) reinforced the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's (BARMM) position in the regional investment landscape through its participation in the 6th Annual Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Conference, held on 15โ16 July 2026 at the Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
Representing BARMM and BEZA, Executive Director Atty. Sukarno Abas joined policymakers, economic zone authorities, industry leaders, investors, and development experts from across the ASEAN region to exchange knowledge and strengthen collaboration on the future of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as catalysts for sustainable and inclusive economic growth together with Engr. Airsad Olomodin.
The conference served as an important platform for BEZA to benchmark international best practices, examine emerging governance frameworks, and identify strategies that will accelerate the development of Bangsamoro economic zones as investment-ready, competitive, and globally connected growth centers.
Throughout the two-day conference, participants explored how modern Special Economic Zones have evolved from traditional industrial enclaves into integrated economic ecosystems that drive regional development, generate employment, strengthen value chains, and attract high-quality investments. Discussions focused on policy innovation, investment promotion, infrastructure development, sustainability, digital transformation, and cross-border economic integration.
BEZA actively participated in plenary sessions, panel discussions, and networking engagements covering global SEZ case studies, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models, investor-friendly regulatory frameworks, one-stop-shop services, climate-resilient infrastructure, and sustainable industrial development. The conference likewise provided opportunities to engage with international economic zone operators, infrastructure developers, and potential investors to showcase investment opportunities in BARMM, particularly in the Halal industry, agro-industrial processing, eco-tourism, freeport logistics, and other high-growth sectors.
Among the conference's significant highlights was the continuing development of the JohorโSingaporeโBatam economic corridor, a successful cross-border growth model connecting Johor Bahru in Malaysia, Singapore, and Batam in Indonesia. The corridor demonstrates how coordinated investments in ports, logistics networks, industrial estates, and transport infrastructure, supported by harmonized policies and regional cooperation, have enabled the efficient movement of goods, services, investments, and people across three neighboring economies.
For BEZA, the JohorโSingaporeโBatam corridor presents a valuable benchmark for strengthening the Bangsamoro's own economic zone development strategy. The integrated approach to cross-border logistics and investment connectivity offers practical lessons in developing ports, logistics hubs, oil depots, and supporting infrastructure that are essential for creating competitive and investment-ready economic zones.
These insights are particularly relevant as BEZA continues to pursue the development of the Polloc Freeport and Economic Zone and future Bangsamoro economic zones. By adopting proven regional practices while responding to local development priorities, BEZA aims to enhance logistics efficiency, facilitate trade, attract strategic investments, and maximize BARMM's strategic location within regional and international supply chains.
Participation in the conference also enabled BEZA to establish stronger linkages with international SEZ operators, investment promotion agencies, infrastructure developers, and private sector partners across Malaysia and the broader ASEAN region. These engagements opened opportunities for future collaboration, knowledge exchange, and investment promotion initiatives that support BARMM's long-term economic development agenda.
The conference further reinforced BARMM's strategic role within the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). With its geographic proximity to neighboring ASEAN markets, the Bangsamoro is well-positioned to serve as a gateway for cross-border trade, logistics, and investment between Southern Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the wider ASEAN region.
The knowledge and best practices gained from the conference are expected to contribute to BEZA's continuing efforts to strengthen its institutional capacity as BARMM's Investment Promotion Agency, enhance ease of doing business, develop responsive policy and regulatory frameworks, and promote Public-Private Partnerships that will accelerate infrastructure development across Bangsamoro economic zones.
Reflecting on the importance of representing the Bangsamoro in international platforms, Executive Director Atty. Abas emphasized the significance of actively sharing the Bangsamoro story while learning from global partners.
Through its participation in the 6th Annual SEZ Conference, BEZA reaffirmed its commitment to building world-class economic zones that foster innovation, attract quality investments, generate employment, and contribute to a resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive Bangsamoro economy.