COTABATO CITY โ Excitement is in the air as traders and investors in Central Mindanao celebrate the grand opening of the multi-billion peso KCC Mall in Cotabato City. Formally launched on Tuesday, April 1, the massive commercial hub is being hailed as a “magnet” for investment, attracting business interest from across the Philippines and even abroad.
As the regional capital of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Cotabato City serves as the economic and political heart of a territory that includes Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and the cities of Lamitan and Marawi.
Ronald Hallid Torres, chairman of the Bangsamoro Business Council (BBC), expressed optimism about the mallโs impact. โThe establishment of this state-of-the-art retail complex sends a strong message to investors nationwide and overseas that Cotabato City is now a prime destination for capital-intensive businesses,โ he said.
A Symbol of Stability and Growth
KCC Mall, the largest among all KCC branches in Mindanao, marks a significant milestone in BARMMโs journey toward economic stability. According to Torres, its presence reinforces the perception that peace and progress now define Cotabato Cityโs business climate.
The BBC, which has members across all BARMM provinces and cities, has been a strong advocate of the governmentโs peace efforts with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). These initiatives have transformed former conflict zones into recognized โpeace zones,โ paving the way for commercial expansion and economic revitalization.
A Grand Opening Under Tight Security
The mall officially opened to the public on Wednesday, April 2, under heightened security measures coordinated by the Cotabato City Police Office, the 5th Marine Battalion Landing Team, and the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.
Tuesdayโs ceremonial launch, attended by more than 300 guests, featured a symbolic blessing by a Catholic priest. The event drew a mix of entrepreneurs from across Central Mindanao, as well as top government officials, including BARMM Chief Minister Ahod โAl-Hajj Muradโ Ebrahim.
โWhen peace and good governance are in place, development follows. Investors come in when they see stability and reliable government services. Thatโs exactly what Cotabato City offers today, and we should all be proud of that,โ Macacua remarked in his address to the attendees.
A Beacon for Future Investments
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Macacua highlighted the increasing influx of investors into BARMM in recent years, citing data from the Bangsamoro Regional Board of Investments (RBOI). He emphasized that this trend reflects the positive impact of the Mindanao peace process in regions once affected by decades of conflict.
Mohammad Omar Pasigan, chairman of the RBOI, echoed this sentiment. โThis new KCC Mall in Cotabato City is a powerful beacon for potential investors. It signals that the Bangsamoro region is now open for business, offering a stable and thriving environment for large-scale enterprises.โ
With this landmark development, Cotabato City stands at the forefront of BARMMโs economic transformationโproof that peace, stability, and investment go hand in hand.
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