According to Philippines Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol, a Russian group is looking to invest ₱ 8 billion (€134 mln) to build a banana plantation in Camp Abubakar, the main enclave of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur. “The project is expected to employ about 10,000 workers, most of whom are former rebel combatants and their children,” said Piñol on Tuesday.
He and Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu on Monday accompanied the Russian group - led by French-Russian businessman Robert Gaspar - to inspect the proposed banana plantation area in Barangay Oring, Buldon.
“Right now, Russia is keenly looking at the Philippines to supply some of its requirements. […] Russia has been buying Philippine bananas through China. So we indirectly export bananas to Russia. Now, this group would like to do it directly. They have expressed an interest to invest in Cavendish bananas,” Piñol said in a press conference.
The Agriculture chief said the Russian businessmen had expressed interest in investing in the Philippines after the visit of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to Russia in May 2017.
