Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Participating for the first time as one region in an international trade
fair, the East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA) has made its mark as it highlights tourism as a major vehicle to economic growth during the China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) held in Nanning, China recently.

The EAGA, which is composed of countries Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines (BIMP), featured during the four-day fair the region’s diverse but united culture, its many exciting adventures and natural attractions.

Tourism Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab who is also the national coordinator of BIMP-EAGA said that it is a joint decision of the four member countries to highlight tourism in the CAEXPO.

Conceptualized in 1994, the BIMP-EAGA was intended to boost trade, tourism, and investment within the region. It comprises the areas of Mindanao and Palawan in the Philippines; the entire sultanate of Brunei Darussalam; 10 provinces in the Indonesian islands of Kalamantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Irian Jaya; and Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan in Malaysia.

Tourism Regional Director for Central Mindanao Sohura Dimaampao, who is also Palabyab’s deputy chair, explains "Our participation to this event is more of an image building. Here, we showcase the culture, adventure, and nature that the EAGA as one region can offer."

According to Dimaampao, statistics would show that most international
in-bound tourists to Mindanao are actually from the other three countries of the EAGA region. She added, "The movement of tourists within the growth area is overwhelming. This is the same reason why we give much emphasis to improving the present ‘connectivity’ of destinations within the region."

To assure the smooth movement of tourists within the area, EAGA’s recent undertakings involve increasing the flight frequencies to and from the different destinations within the region. Currently, South Phoenix caters to passengers flying the Zamboanga-Sandakan route and vice versa. By sea, M.V. Wissam Express and Alesson navigate the same route. Merpati carrier, on the other hand, services the Davao-Sandakan-Davao route.

In recent developments, the Joint Tourism Development (JTB) cluster has submitted to the Senior Officials Minister Meeting (SOMM) the proposal to beef-up flights servicing routes from and to Davao-Kota Kinabalu, General Santos-Manado, Indonesia and Palawan-Kota Kinabalu.

Some 39 local government officials from Mindanao graced the CAEXPO’s
official opening and participated in the various conference topics prepared for both the local and foreign delegates.

" The attendance of governors, mayors and provincial board members from Mindanao is just a beginning of the LGU’s more active participation and support to tourism" said Director Dimaampao. She further added "We are so pleased with the support we have been showered by the past and present Tourism Secretaries. Tourism Secretary Ace Durano has supported us in many of our present undertakings as Senator Dick Gordon in the past had been our most aggressive supporter."

The CAEXPO is an annual event held since 2004 and was conceptualized in the goal of providing business communities, not just from Asia but all over the world, a tremendous avenue for regional economic and trade collaboration. It aims to promote the building of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area which is envisioned to yield mutual benefits and shared success among its members.

The BIMP-EAGA, though a first time participant to the event, was already
given recognition by the CAEXPO organizers as they bagged the "Best Support" award for its concept of presenting four countries in one booth.