Brunei Hosts First BIMP-EAGA Cluster Meet

Bandar Seri Begawan – Brunei Darussalam was host to the first ever meeting of the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines- East Asia Growth Area Transport and Infrastructure Working Group Cluster Meeting.

The meeting discussed issues relating to transportation and infrastructure development, tourism, natural resources and SME's, or small and medium enterprises and also heard reports from members of the private sector.

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Dato Awang Haji Idris bin Belaman said various projects that were recognised as a priority for the BIMP-EAGA region were discussed.

Dato Awang Haji Idris said the two-days meeting have given priority to the housing development, efforts to upgrade shipping ties amongst ports in the BIMP-EAGA region. He added eleven projects have been planned.

The meeting also heard progress reports on the BIMP Facilitation Centre or BIMP FC, which is based in Sabah, Malaysia.

BIMP FC among others is responsible for increasing foreign investment in the region and also implementing projects which have been recognised as a priority within the sub-region.

He said this is vital for them to assess how far they have succeeded in achieving the objectives of the activities and programmes which have been implemented.

Delegates also focused on the role of the private sector within BIMP-EAGA and heard reports from the Asian Development Bank.

The Asian Development Bank acts as a consultant to BIMP-EAGA and conducts research, workshops and seminars to encourage the growth of SME's.

The meeting was aimed at upgrading the capacity building and to overcome problems faced by the SME's in the four countries so that they will become more active in their business in order to develop the BIMP-EAGA region.

The meeting which ends today was attended by officials from relevant ministries from the four EAGA countries. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei

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