Region’s Most Business-Friendly Province

South Cotabato stands out not only for its generous tax incentives but also as an optimal ecozone location for information technology, agro-industrial, and tourism sectors, boasting significant potential for exporting diverse high-value crops globally.

In fact, the province has been recognized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry [PCCI], the country’s largest conglomerate of business entities, as a leading contender for the title of Most Business-Friendly Province nationwide, attributed to its pioneering economic development initiatives and projects, making it the sole regional representative in the prestigious national award category.

Favorable trade and market access.

South Cotabato is a prominent agricultural hub in Region XII consisting of 85,000 farms spanning 197.9 thousand hectares. Its strategic proximity to Sarangani Bay and Makar Wharf optimizes trade connections with ASEAN and global markets, complemented by its adjacency to the productive Buluan Lake, the sixth largest lake in the nation and a key asset in the Bangsamoro Region. It was awarded the 9th most competitive province in the 2022 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) out of 83 provinces across the country.

Robust Economic Linkages

Hosting major regional and national agro-industrial giants including DOLE Philippines, Inc., SUMIFRU, Lapanday Global Fruits Corporation, Pioneer Hi-Breed Philippines, Truly Natural Food Corporation, Progressive Farms, Inc., BioTech Farms, Inc., San Miguel Corporation, Monterey Foods Corporation, and Dole Stanfilco, the province generates robust economic linkages that foster extensive local employment and heightened household income through multiplier effects.