Ambassador Nestor Z. Ochoa and Madame Mayie E. Ochoa hosted the 22-man Philippine delegation attending the 9th BIMP-EAGA Transport/Infrastructure and ICT Development Cluster Meeting at the Ang Bahay, the Philippine Ambassador’s Official Residence in Brunei Darussalam on 14 June 2012.

The 9th BIMP-EAGA Transport/Infrastructure and ICT Development Cluster Meeting was held at the Rizqun Hotel in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam from 11-14 June 2012, back-to-back with the ICT CEO Forum and the 2nd BIMP-EAGA Transport, Infrastructure and ICT Development (TIICTD) Meeting involving members of the BIMP-EAGA private sector.

The 2nd BIMP-EAGA TIICTD Private Sector Meeting was held with the aim of generating inputs leading to the identification and implementation of priority projects designed to facilitate the realization of the ultimate goal of BIMP-EAGA's sub-regional initiative of increasing trade, tourism, and investments within the sub-region.

Among the key outcomes of the discussions were the possible private sector participation in projects listed in the BIMP-EAGA Implementation Blueprint (IB) 2012-2016, and the decision to facilitate transportation through the following areas:

1.         Enhancing connectivity through the 'Hop-On and Hop-Off' bus operation - a project among tour bus operators designed to facilitate the movement of people along the West Borneo Economic Corridor (WBEC) – i.e. Pontianak-Kuching-Brunei-Kota Kinabalu;

2.         The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) shared the initial results of the Asean RoRo study which is scheduled to be completed in March 2013. The study will be used to promote investment in RoRo operations in the region as well as stimulate greater cross-border cargo and help improve port operations and infrastructure, and CIQS procedures. The Meeting took note of the 3 priority Ro-Ro Shipping development routes identified by the study:

a.         Zamboanga-Muara;

b.         Brooke’s Point – Labuan-Muara; and

c.         Bitung-Davao/General Santos City.

3.         MASwings provided updates on their plans to add new routes within the BIMP-EAGA such as Kota Kinabalu-Davao, Davao-Manado, Manado-Tawau, and Tawau-Kota Kinabalu.

Ambassador Ochoa welcomed these developments in the BIMP-EAGA, emphasizing the critical role of the private sector in spearheading change and progress within the least developed areas of the sub-region.  “More importantly, these developments in the BIMP-EAGA serve as a staging ground for the future integration of the ASEAN region. When inter-connectivity is achieved within the BIMP-EAGA, hopefully this will spread throughout the ASEAN region,” he added. END

Ambassador Nestor Z. Ochoa and Mrs. Mayie E. Ochoa with members of the Philippine delegation to the 9th Transport/Infrastructure and ICT Development Cluster Meeting at the Ang Bahay.