The first international Islamic business conference is held in Zamboanga city. Some 500 executives from the Philippines, Asia, and the Middle East are meeting to promote trade and investment in the south. Foreigners have shied away from the south due to continuing violence. At least 30 people on both sides were killed in heavy fighting last week. The conference is being funded by the Saudi-based Islamic Development Bank which has also allocated $16 million in loans and grants for infrastructure in the ARMM and $1 million for training for former rebels (Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 12/02/98).