Ever Heard of EAGA?

MINDANAWORLD
Borderless economy in Eaga

Posted 05:50am (Mla time) Mar 21, 2005
By Joji Ilagan-Bian
Inquirer News Service



Editor's Note: Published on page B2 of the Mar. 21, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer


IN 1994, the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga) was formed to create a mutually beneficial, socioeconomic relationship among Eaga member-countries. One of its goals was to provide an easier and freer movement of people, goods and services within the sub-region.

The officials of the BIMP-Eaga recognized that in order to achieve faster movement of goods and products, it is very important that the customs, immigration, quarantine and security of the member-countries must be streamlined and harmonized.

Thus, in July 2002, a conference on BIMP-Eaga customs, immigration, quarantine and security (CIQS) was conducted in Davao City, signaling the start of the process in actualizing this proposal.

Aside from this initiative, CIQS bilateral discussions were held on matters involving the Zamboanga-Sandakan, General Santos-Bitung, and the Davao-Manado port areas.

These discussions revolved around the identification of common issues and
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problems affecting the security of the growth area and the formulation of security action plans for land, aviation and maritime security.

Easier trade with CIQS

The businessmen were confronted with problems like harassment and extortion in different ports because of the lack of clear and transparent port policies; not all Eaga players have accepted certain international conventions and protocols, and the vague policies in some countries.

We can now see significant changes that were achieved in harmonizing CIQS -- changes that particularly benefited the Philippines. In August 2000, the first Philippine primer on CIQS was released by the Mindanao Economic Development Council and the Bureau of Immigration. The primer provided the business sector and local government units (LGUs) as well as their counterparts in Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia with a complete reference list of all Philippine CIQS rules, regulations, and procedures that are followed in conducting trade and other business-related activities. In the short term, we hope to see the other member countries follow the Philippine initiative.

One can just imagine how convenient it is if traders could have all of these vital information on the CIQS requirements of the regional cooperation in one manual or primer/or website. This would save time, communication problems and other trade inconveniences.

Marked increase in Eaga trade

Trade-wise, CIQS efforts boosted the relations of the Philippines with its neighboring partners. As the country's food basket, Mindanao has performed incredibly well. It steadily marked an increase in exports to Eaga countries. For instance, Western Mindanao has increased its exports to about $39 million worth of marine and agricultural products yearly, while Northern Mindanao has increased exports of canned pineapple. Former Trade Secretary Cesar Purisima earlier attributed this trade growth to Mindanao's link to BIMP-Eaga.

To further enhance the availability of information about Mindanao and Palawan-based businesses, the Mindanao-Palawan CIQS Task Force is in the process of setting up a Philippine-Eaga one-stop action center (OSACs). This action center is planned to provide a complete reference in addressing issues and concerns involving customs, immigration, quarantine and security. It is expected that, once established, it will accelerate the processing of requirements imperative to trading and people mobility related activities.

Security

In order to fight terrorism, tight security measures must be put in place and strictly enforced. Relative to the BIMP-Eaga's CIQS initiatives, the Australian government has committed to assist Mindanao and Palawan in developing and strengthening its counter-terrorism capabilities. The two region-members of the growth area are the target beneficiaries of this project due to its geographic proximity to Indonesia, where the Jemaah Islamiya groups in Southeast Asia are allegedly concentrated.

Soon there will be a signing of the MOA for the security arrangements for public and private ports and private vessels, which shall set up viable and workable security system for private vessels, and public and private ports.

Our ultimate vision is to have a unified CIQS in all Eaga ports and we are optimistic that this will bring about a true regional cooperation among the four countries resulting in borderless trading and exchange of goods and services!

(Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong advocate for Mindanao; member, Export Development Council and former chair of the Mindanao Business Council. Vice chair of the Mindanao Commission of Women and National Corn Board; chair of the Mindanao TVET. Email comments to jojibian2@yahoo.com)

from: http://news.inq7.net/regions/index.php?index=1&story_id=31221