A business delegation from Yunnan Province in China is exploring investment and trade opportunities in Mindanao as the region seeks to expand economic ties with one of China’s key agricultural and commercial provinces.
The delegation met with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) on Monday to discuss potential partnerships in agriculture, food processing, renewable energy, tourism, logistics and other industries where Mindanao and Yunnan have complementary resources and markets.
MinDA Chairperson and Secretary Leo Tereso Magno presented Mindanao as a strategic investment destination, citing its agricultural base, natural resources, strategic location and growing agro-industrial sector.
“With fertile soils, a strategic position facing ASEAN neighbors within BIMP-EAGA, and an expanding agro-industrial sector, Mindanao offers an ideal platform for high-value processing, trade, and sustainable investment,” Magno said.
Magno said the region’s strategic location within the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) further strengthens its potential as a gateway for regional trade and investment.
The meeting sought to move beyond general investment promotion by identifying concrete areas where Yunnan businesses and Mindanao enterprises can establish commercial linkages.
Yunnan Department of Commerce Deputy Director General Ma Jun identified agriculture, food processing, flowers and vegetables, energy and other industries as potential areas of cooperation.
“We believe that there are opportunities for cooperation in food processing and other industries, including energy, and we look forward to strengthening investment and trade between Yunnan and Mindanao,” Ma said.
MinDA Executive Director Janet Lopoz said the agency would help connect potential investors with opportunities across Mindanao and the BIMP-EAGA subregion.
MinDA Investment Promotion and Public Affairs Office Director IV Rodrigo B. Giducos presented Mindanao’s economic profile, highlighting its 4.6 percent economic growth in 2025, 36 percent share of the country’s food supply and raw materials, agricultural exports, expanding power capacity and mineral resources.
Davao City Investment Promotion Center Investors Assistance Servicing Unit Head Christian Cambaya also presented investment opportunities in agribusiness, tourism, energy, information technology, manufacturing, infrastructure, health, education, eco-industry and inclusive business.
Cambaya highlighted Davao’s growing durian exports to China and the investment incentives available to prospective investors.
The Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII), led by President Dr. Mirasol B. Tiu, expressed support for strengthening business-to-business links between Mindanao and Yunnan.
The discussions identified potential opportunities in agricultural trade, fresh-cut flowers and vegetables, seasonal fruits, food products, beef imports, cargo connectivity and direct flights.
A proposed Memorandum of Agreement between DCCCII and Yunnan Province, with MinDA serving as a partner, was also discussed as a possible platform for formalizing business cooperation and translating the investment dialogue into actual trade and commercial partnerships.
