Academe vital in sustaining EAGA socio-economic development

DAVAO CITY, Philippines -— The academe plays an important role in sustaining the continued development of the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) geo-economic grouping.

Mindanao Development Authority Chair Luwalhati Antonino stressed the potentials of strategic and relevant studies in narrowing the development gaps across and within the sub-region. 

Antonino, who is also the signing minister for the Philippines in the EAGA, likewise pointed out the importance of having a pool of experts who may undertake social and scientific researches that will help policy and decision makers craft the right policies that will help fortify BIMP-EAGA’s four strategic pillars of development.

“It’s assuring to know that we have BIMP-EAGA is a sub-regional economic cooperation designed to spur economic development in lagging sub-economies. Its four strategic pillars are connectivity, food basket, environment, and tourism,” she said.

She added that strengthening the research and development in BIMP-EAGA is a necessary preparation for the ASEAN integration by 2015, with the sub-region poised to become the food basket and agribusiness hub of ASEAN.

“We need to sustain this initiative to provide knowledge base in harnessing our market intelligence, innovating advancements, and harmonizing key policies with the end goal of strengthening BIMP-EAGA’s overall competitiveness,” said Antonino.

Former President Fidel Ramos, one of those who started the BIMP-EAGA initiative in 1994,  likewise said that the academe plays a crucial role in the institutional relationships within the sub-region.

“The hope of BIMP-EAGA lies on the younger generation. True connectivity does not merely rely on physical connectivity, but also through the strengthened connection of its people,” Ramos said. 

Academic grouping in the EAGA also  gathered papers and case studies on tourism, business entrepreneurship, information system, marketing, economics, law, culture, health, and agriculture

 To further sustain the initiative and strengthen academic linkages, the BIMP-EAGA ministers are also exploring the possibility of a student exchange program among the universities of EAGA member countries.