Better transport links for Brunei, Philippines
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
DIRECT shipping and air links between Brunei Darussalam and the Philippines will improve trade as the arrangement would lower the costs of transporting goods between the two countries, the Philippine ambassador to Brunei said.
Virginia H Benavidez said ship owners are exploring ways to make sea freight rates more competitive and sustainable.
"We have been working with the Brunei government in encouraging the opening of direct sea and air routes to Mindanao, where there are plenty of exportable products, particularly fresh food items," she said.
Trade between the countries totalled US$10.32 million ($15.9 million) in favour of the Philippines, a 133.38 per cent increase compared to figures in 2004. Statistics also show that exports from the Philippines have expanded, while Brunei's exports fell to US$81,588 from US$924, 247 in 2005.
Majority of Brunei's exports are industrial goods, such as electronics, while the Philippines' exports to Brunei include processed and fresh foods, garments and other fashion accessories.
Benavidez said the revitalisation of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (Bimp Eaga) has the potential to serve as a collaboration point to facilitate the movement of people, goods and services.
"I believe the Philippines has much to offer in terms of technical assistance in the area of soil management, soil testing and drainage, environmental planning for agricultural development and strategic planning in the agricultural sector," she said, noting that Brunei is promoting the development of agricultural lands for local entrepreneurs.
She also identified the development of cooperatives and the seafood industry as prospective areas of cooperation between the two countries.
An estimated 20,697 Filipinos currently live in Brunei, with semi-skilled workers including maintenance service workers and hospital aides constituting more than 34 per cent of the total number of Filipinos in the country.
Based on end-2006 figures, more than 26 per cent of Filipino residents are domestic helpers, including family drivers and gardeners.
"Overall, the scope of Philippine-Brunei relations, bilaterally and multilaterally, as well as at the official and personal levels, can be best described as strong, steadfast, stable and strategic," she added.
In her independence anniversary message, she called on all Filipinos to be more united and work more closely together in the nation's march towards shared prosperity and sustainable development.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had said the Philippines is now waging a campaign against poverty and corruption.
"Our country is now at the threshold of an economic miracle. Our economy has grown by 6.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2007, the highest in 17 years." she said on the occasion of the country's 109th independence anniversary.
The Brunei Times
Virginia H Benavidez said ship owners are exploring ways to make sea freight rates more competitive and sustainable.
"We have been working with the Brunei government in encouraging the opening of direct sea and air routes to Mindanao, where there are plenty of exportable products, particularly fresh food items," she said.
Trade between the countries totalled US$10.32 million ($15.9 million) in favour of the Philippines, a 133.38 per cent increase compared to figures in 2004. Statistics also show that exports from the Philippines have expanded, while Brunei's exports fell to US$81,588 from US$924, 247 in 2005.
Majority of Brunei's exports are industrial goods, such as electronics, while the Philippines' exports to Brunei include processed and fresh foods, garments and other fashion accessories.
Benavidez said the revitalisation of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (Bimp Eaga) has the potential to serve as a collaboration point to facilitate the movement of people, goods and services.
"I believe the Philippines has much to offer in terms of technical assistance in the area of soil management, soil testing and drainage, environmental planning for agricultural development and strategic planning in the agricultural sector," she said, noting that Brunei is promoting the development of agricultural lands for local entrepreneurs.
She also identified the development of cooperatives and the seafood industry as prospective areas of cooperation between the two countries.
An estimated 20,697 Filipinos currently live in Brunei, with semi-skilled workers including maintenance service workers and hospital aides constituting more than 34 per cent of the total number of Filipinos in the country.
Based on end-2006 figures, more than 26 per cent of Filipino residents are domestic helpers, including family drivers and gardeners.
"Overall, the scope of Philippine-Brunei relations, bilaterally and multilaterally, as well as at the official and personal levels, can be best described as strong, steadfast, stable and strategic," she added.
In her independence anniversary message, she called on all Filipinos to be more united and work more closely together in the nation's march towards shared prosperity and sustainable development.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had said the Philippines is now waging a campaign against poverty and corruption.
"Our country is now at the threshold of an economic miracle. Our economy has grown by 6.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2007, the highest in 17 years." she said on the occasion of the country's 109th independence anniversary.
The Brunei Times
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