Summit To Enhance BIMP-EAGA Connectivity Underway In Davao

KOTA KINABALU (Sabah, Malaysia), April 17 (Bernama) -- The chief executive officers (CEOs) of key airlines and tour operators from the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) began a two-day meeting from Tuesday in Davao, the Philippines. The inaugural Equator Asia Air Access Forum and Airline CEOs Summit, aims to lay the groundwork for enhanced inter-connectivity between and among the EAGA focus areas, including its world-class tourist destinations branded as "Equator Asia". "We are expecting more than a hundred delegates from the four-member countries of the BIMP-EAGA", said Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chairperson and the concurrent Philippines Signing Minister to BIMP-EAGA, in a statement Tuesday. She said that connectivity has been a major challenge for the Philippines particularly to Mindanao and Palawan, noting that unlike the rest of the member countries of the EAGA, it was separated by water. "That is why we are pushing for more airline connectivity with Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia, so that there would be freer movement of people, goods and services within the sub-region", she added. She said the idea of creating the sub-grouping is also to increase trade, tourism and investments in the EAGA focus areas. "This can only be realised if an efficient transport network and infrastructure are in place", Antonino added. Malaysia Airlines, MASwings, and Garuda Indonesia are among the international airline companies joining the summit. -- BERNAMA