ADB PROVIDES US$1.5 MILLION TECHNICAL GRANT TO BIMP-EAGA

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is
providing a US$1.5 million technical assistance grant to help simplify and
streamline entry procedures at prioritised border points in Brunei, Indonesia,
Malaysia and the Philippines.

The Manila-based bank said in a statement that it would help to unlock
increased trade and tourism in the sub-regional bloc known as East Asean Growth
Area, or BIMP-EAGA.

A recent review of customs, immigration, quarantine and security-related
procedures at entry points into BIMP-EAGA, found that incoming vessels often had
to provide up to 15 different clearance documents to at least seven different
agencies.

"This process needs to be simplified and improved both in terms of the
number of documents submitted and in the way processing is coordinated among
numerous agencies," said Nguyen Ba Hung, regional cooperation specialist in
ADB's Southeast Asia Department.

Clearance time for goods can take several hours at land borders or several
days at seaports, while inadequate visa-on-arrival facilities acts as a
hindrance to foreign visitors, undermining tourism development.

The technical assistance will help BIMP-EAGA members align their trade
facilitation and border procedures to speed up the movement of goods and people
at eight priority entry points.

It will complement other initiatives underway to improve transport
connectivity.

The Investment Climate Facilitation Fund, established by the Japanese
government under the Regional Cooperation and Integration Financing Partnership
Facility and South Korea e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund, will provide
cofinance of US$1 million and US$500,000 respectively, for a total project cost
of US$1.5 million.

Since 1994, ADB has provided technical assistance of US$13.22 million to
support development in BIMP-EAGA.
-- BERNAMA


Attachments:
untitled-[2] 4.7 k [ text/html ] Download | View
Delete & Prev | Delete & Next