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TRADE & INVESTMENTS
T he province of
Basilan occupies a total land area of 1,379 square kilometers. The terrain
ranges from undulating to rolling and becomes moderately steep towards the
interior of the province. The province has 7 municipalities and has a population
of 243,091. About 70%, of the province’s land is devoted to agriculture and
planted extensively with coconuts, rubber and coffee. Other crops include palay,
corn, cacao, cassava, African oil palm and black pepper. The provincial waters
are laden with grouper, tuna, squid, octopus and marlin while inland fishponds
are stocked with milkfish, prawns and shrimps. Basilan has the only lobster
fattening and culture operations in the region.
Basilan has three
private airstrips that cater to light planes. Flying to Zamboanga City is the
more convenient means to get to Basilan. The province also has two government
wharves that provide regular boat trips to nearby Zamboanga City. The local road
network is 865 kilometers long and links all the municipalities and barangays of
Basilan. More than half of the roads are categorized as all-weather roads. The
province generates enough power capacity to meet local demand and has enough
water sources to supply household, business and industrial needs. The local
telecommunication facilities offer telegraph and long distance telephone
services. Basilan hosts three government banks, two commercial banks and a rural
bank.
The investment
opportunities in Basilan revolve around the agricultural and marine resources of
the province. Production and processing of rubber, coconuts, coffee and marine
products rank high based on a product-market mix made by the local government.
Specific business ventures include the manufacture of rubber-wood products such
as furniture, tiles, gloves, conveyor belts, and latex; the processing of
coconuts into oil, coir, desiccated coconut and activated carbon; processing of
seaweeds, canning, and production of fishmeal, starch and adhesives. The local
government is also developing an eleven-hectare provincial agro-industrial
center in Tabiawan, Isabela. Basilan also has myriad natural attractions
consisting of a surrounding coastline of white sand beaches, pristine waters,
and coral formations, waterfalls and historical sites. Business ventures in
tourism and related services and facilities, such as hotels, inns, resorts, and
restaurants are very welcome in Basilan.
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