ASEAN heads ink request for continued GTZ support

The German government through the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) will continue supporting the Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia the Philippines - East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), upon request from the heads of state in these countries during the recently concluded 12th ASEAN Summit held in Cebu.

"We thanked the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) for the unwavering support extended to BIMP-EAGA. We requested GTZ to continue providing institutional strengthening and capacity building support to BIMP-EAGA institutions, and to assist in the implementation of cross-border pilot projects in trade, investment and tourism," said a Joint Statement of the State/Government Leaders of BIMP-EAGA.

The Joint Statement was signed by the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, President Susilo Bambang Yodhoyono of Indonesia, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of Malaysia and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the Philippines last January 12, 2007 during the BIMP-EAGA Leaders' Summit which is a part of the four-day long ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines.

Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Bin Syed Jaafar Albar, Foreign Minister of Malaysia and the Standing Chair of the BIMP-EAGA Ministerial Meeting emphasized in his report the GTZ's assistance in institutional building of sub-regional private and public sector institutions, respectively the BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC) and the BIMP Facilitation Center. During his presentation, he acknowledged GTZ's support in facilitating cross-border cooperation. A 30-second audio-video tourism promotion teaser produced by the GTZ was presented to the Leaders.

Moreover, the GTZ published "Unity Beyond Borders, Growth Across Frontiers" which was distributed during the Summit. It is a collection of stories from companies, individuals, local government units which represent the common desire to bring forth the importance of cross-border cooperation and economic integration in BIMP-EAGA.

The publication is intended to encourage results of unity and sub-regional interaction that had become crucial initiatives in the greater context of ASEAN integration, as well as to contribute to more economic growth, more employment, less poverty and reduced conflict in this area.

The GTZ was represented in the Leaders' Summit by Jochem Lange, GTZ Country Director for the Philippines, and Martina Valhhaus, OIC Project Manager. The summit was also participated by the respective foreign/trade/industry/transport ministers from the four countries, ASEAN secretariat and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The GTZ is implementing the Promotion of Economic Cooperation in BIMP-EAGA Project in cooperation with the ADB since 2005.