Malayan Colleges Mindanao, A Mapúa School, participated in the fourth installment of the 29th Mindanao Business Conference last October 23, 2020, where the key topics were the challenges and opportunities in the Halal industry, especially in Mindanao, hosted by the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII).  

This theme of the MinBizCon 2020 is “Mindanao: Journeying in the New Normal” where industry players, government officials, private sector leaders, and more, meet to discuss the various economic challenges and solutions in the new normal, which will lead to eventual policy-making beneficial to different sectors in Mindanao. 

The key speakers of the event are Mr. Raison D. Arobinto from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Export Management Bureau, Dr. Sitti Amina Jain, former Regional Director of DTI Region IX, Ms. Marilou Ampuan, Trustee of DCCCII and Vice-Chairperson of the Regional Halal Committee, and Mr. Thomas Khoo, Managing Director of Fusionex International.

As a melting pot of various cultures, peoples, and traditions, Davao City positions itself as one of the country’s leading investment hubs, for it provides a favorable business climate, fertile land for agricultural opportunities, affordable utility costs, and a highly-skilled workforce. With this, investors from different industries are more than welcome to do their business in the city. 

It is notable that one of the most booming economies in Davao City is the Halal industry, which is a trillion-dollar industry that covers not just food, but there is also Halal finance, travel, modest fashion, media and recreation, and pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Last May 4, 2019, the Department of Tourism (DOT) hailed Davao City as the first Muslim-friendly destination during the Philippine Halal Trade and Tourism Expo. The city now has over 10 Halal establishments, such as Marco Polo, Rumah Kari, Pearl Farm, El Bajada Hotel, Sunnypoint Hotel, Zabadani, Villa Margarita, Hijo Estate Resort, Tinhat Boutique, Southern Philippines Medical Center, and more. Ms. Marilou Ampuan also featured and appreciated Malayan Colleges Mindanao, A Mapúa School, as the newest school with the best Muslim-friendly facilities and structures, as well as an institution that is most prepared to serve its Muslim community.