BIMP-EAGA Companies Urged To Look Beyond Asean
By Izam S. Ya'akub & Alex How

Bandar Seri Begawan - BIMP-EAGA has been urged to capitalise on developments both within and beyond Asean with the private sector of the subregion playing a vital role as the sub-region looks forward to achieving its aspirations.

This was stated by Pehin Dato Awang Hj Abdul Rahman, Minister of Education cum Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in his keynote address at yesterday's official opening ceremony of BIMP-EAGA Trade & Tourism Expo and Business Summit.

The minister officially opened the twoday BIMP-EAGA Trade & Tourism Expo & Business Summit at The Mall, Gadong, which have brought together a wide range of leading figures from the region's governments as well as business and key organisations that play a crucial role in the region to discuss an array of-topics and issues.

Pehin Dato Awang Hj Abdul Rahman stressed the importance of remaining aware of developments within and beyond Asean, which represent ' new and bigger opportunities which the sub-region can take advantage of.

He was referring to Asean's efforts in the creation of Asean Economic Community by 2020 as well as establishing Asean as the hub for economic integration, by forming strategic alliances with key dialogue partners such as Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and Korea.

He also placed emphasis on the role to be played by the private sector in the BIMP sub-region as partners in realising the ambitions of growth by stating: "The strength of our sub-regional cooperation lies in our recognition of you, the private sectors, as the main engine of growth in BIMP-EAGA, while we, the public sector, continue to work alongside with you as equal partners, in order to facilitate your initiatives and realise your aspiration."

He added that the significant status of, the private sector as a fifth country member during BIMP-EAGA senior official meetings places the private sector in a position where they can directly be involved in dialogue with policy-makers.

He encouraged the private sector to use the avenue to provide bold and pragmatic solutions on issues relevant to enhancing trade, tourism and investment within the sub-region from the perspectives; of the business community that they present.

Meanwhile, the first session of the forum focused on the economic developments in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines and assessed the business opportunities in each of the four markets that make up the East Asean Growth Area (EAGA).

Mr. Lim Jock Hoi, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Firman M. U. Tamboen, Deputy Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs for Investment and Public-Private Partnership Development, Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of Indonesia, Dato Dr. Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah, Deputy Director General (Macro) Economic Planning Unit, and Prime Minister's Department of Malaysia, Eng. Merly M. Cruz, Regional Director & Southern Philippines Coordinator for BIMP-EAGA matters, Department of Trade and Industry of Philippines were the four panel members for the discussion.

The session provided an overview of the development in the four countries as well as Asean region and highlighted the importance of drawing out an ambitious but practical roadmap for the BIMP-EAGA development. Moderating the session was Allen Lai, CEO of Asia Inc Forum. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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