Arroyo to revive BIMP-EAGA

DAVAO CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is bent on reviving the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) geo-economical grouping as a mechanism to improve the economy of Mindanao.

"The EAGA is one way of enhancing the economy of Min-danao and we would like to see the inter-subregional economic cooperation active again," Mrs. Arroyo said.

BIMP-EAGA, which has a market base of over 45 million, encompasses the subnational economies of East Indonesia, East Malaysia, Mindanao, Palawan and Brunei Darussalam.

Complementing the BIMP-EAGA is the East ASEAN Business Council (EADC), the private sector counterpart composed of the various chambers of commerce and industry in the subregion.

At least 13 working groups on matters such as cross-border transportation, environment, communication, tourism and agriculture have been formed since the geo-economic grouping was formally launched in 1994.

The 1997 Asian economic crisis slowed down cross-border EAGA activities, while the political crisis affecting Indonesia and the hostilities between government and Moro separatist forces in Mindanao also prevented further economic exchanges within the subregion.

Mrs. Arroyo said she has instructed Presidential Assistant for Regional Development (PARD) Paul Dominguez to initiate the move to urge the other EAGA component areas to interact again.

Dominguez said the BIMP-EAGA could be revived by reopening direct travel routes between Zamboanga City and Sandakan in East Malaysia and Davao City and Manado in Indonesia.

He said the BIMP-EAGA’s revival will be tackled when Philippine officials meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Mohammad Mahathir soon. — Edith Regalado