Several industries have shaped the past and present business culture of Negros. The prominence of plantations in the island is evidence of the agricultural heritage of the province. In the past, many families struck it rich with their profitable sugar plantations, many of which are still in operation today. Other plantations, like those of coconut and rice, also exist in the province. Banana and corn are also cultivated in the island.

Next to sugar, fishing is a large part of Negrense life. Fishing sustains many people as a source of livelihood. This comes as no surprise, as the entire province is surrounded by water. Fishing, indeed, sustains many citizens in the Philippines, which is an archipelago that consists of thousands of islands.

Mining is another income-generating activity in the land. Negros is known to have rich deposits of minerals, both metallic and non-metallic. Its gold ore and copper reserves are predominantly targeted by many firms. Nickel and silver are also found in the land. Molybdenum is abundant in Negros, too. In fact, the province has the largest amount of molybdenum reserves in the entire Philippines. Molybdenum is used in industrial motors and aeroplanes.

Many travellers have always been interested in Negros, and this is evident in the province’s growing tourism industry. The province, after all, is home to many natural wonders. It also has interesting architectural sights. The region, in fact, is known by many to be the country’s seat of arts.

These days, the BPO industry is also gaining ground in Negros. Call centres have begun putting up bases in Bacolod, and many other foreign companies are expected to follow. This is because Negros has a fairly lower cost of business operations compared to Manila. It also has a lower cost of living compared to that of Cebu.