The second phase of the Business and Peace Programme has been started
in the Mindanao region of the Philippines, a predominantly Muslim area
that has been ravaged by community conflict.
The programme was started in 2001 by the International Business
Leaders’ Forum and the Philippine Business for Social Progress
organization to promote peace and development in Mindanao through core
business activities and social investment.
The new three-year phase, which has the UK government’s backing, is
being funded with £100,000 ($172,000) from the British Chamber of Commerce of the
Philippines and the British embassy in Manila.
Private sector activities will now be directed at attracting investment
in Mindanao, encouraging work practices that take account of religious
diversity and strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium-sized
enterprises through information technology.
