MANILA, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is ready to share its expertise in the halal economy and Islamic finance to support the socio-economic development of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), an autonomous region in the southern Philippines, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
He said Malaysia also saw strong investment potential in BARMM, particularly for Malaysian multinational companies in the plantation sector, with the Philippine government ready to facilitate their entry into the region.
Mohamad, who co-chaired the ninth Philippines-Malaysia Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro here today, said several Malaysian companies, including Maybank, had already established a presence in BARMM.
"This area has investment potential for Malaysian companies, especially multinational companies based on plantations. The land there is fertile and it can be a new area for plantation companies to bring in investments and open up new plantation areas," he said at a press conference after the JCM at the Department of Foreign Affairs here.
He said Malaysia attached great importance to its longstanding cooperation with the Philippines in supporting the peace process in Mindanao and remained committed to promoting lasting peace, stability and inclusive development in the region.
“As the third-party facilitator, Malaysia remains committed to supporting lasting peace, stability and inclusive development in Mindanao,” he said.
Malaysia served as a mediator in negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) from 2001 to 2012, with the peace process eventually leading to the establishment of the Bangsamoro autonomous region in 2019.
Meanwhile, Mohamad called for stronger Malaysia-Philippines cooperation in agricultural productivity, sustainable agriculture, food supply chains, technology and trade in food and agricultural products to strengthen ASEAN supply-chain resilience and intra-ASEAN trade.
He also congratulated the Philippines on its ASEAN Chairship for 2026 and said Malaysia was ready to work closely with Manila to advance intra-ASEAN trade and economic integration, strengthen the digital economy, enhance food security and supply-chain resilience, and promote regional peace and stability.
Mohamad and Lazaro also signed the Agreed Minutes following the meeting.
Also present were Foreign Ministry deputy secretary-general (Bilateral Affairs) Datuk Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin, Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Datuk Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino and other senior officials.
Malaysia will host the 10th Philippines-Malaysia JCM in 2027, with the date to be mutually agreed.
Mohamad, who co-chaired the ninth Philippines-Malaysia Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro here today, said several Malaysian companies, including Maybank, had already established a presence in BARMM.
"This area has investment potential for Malaysian companies, especially multinational companies based on plantations. The land there is fertile and it can be a new area for plantation companies to bring in investments and open up new plantation areas," he said at a press conference after the JCM at the Department of Foreign Affairs here.
He said Malaysia attached great importance to its longstanding cooperation with the Philippines in supporting the peace process in Mindanao and remained committed to promoting lasting peace, stability and inclusive development in the region.
“As the third-party facilitator, Malaysia remains committed to supporting lasting peace, stability and inclusive development in Mindanao,” he said.
Malaysia served as a mediator in negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) from 2001 to 2012, with the peace process eventually leading to the establishment of the Bangsamoro autonomous region in 2019.
Meanwhile, Mohamad called for stronger Malaysia-Philippines cooperation in agricultural productivity, sustainable agriculture, food supply chains, technology and trade in food and agricultural products to strengthen ASEAN supply-chain resilience and intra-ASEAN trade.
He also congratulated the Philippines on its ASEAN Chairship for 2026 and said Malaysia was ready to work closely with Manila to advance intra-ASEAN trade and economic integration, strengthen the digital economy, enhance food security and supply-chain resilience, and promote regional peace and stability.
Mohamad and Lazaro also signed the Agreed Minutes following the meeting.
Also present were Foreign Ministry deputy secretary-general (Bilateral Affairs) Datuk Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin, Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Datuk Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino and other senior officials.
Malaysia will host the 10th Philippines-Malaysia JCM in 2027, with the date to be mutually agreed.