| Malaysian authorities give green light to new i-CLID system | |
By Azaraimy HH
Thousands of cargoes going through the Brunei and Malaysia borders have to spend considerable time in Customs clearance at several checkpoints. This will be a thing of the past, with a new system called the Intelligent Clearance Identity (i-CLID), a BIMP-EAGA Cross Border Project that will basically connect an electronic tagging system with all the related checkpoints.
The i-CLID system, which was initiated by the BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC) in Brunei, was given a thumbs-up and system go-ahead by Malaysian authorities during the BIMP-EAGA project deliberation at the 5th BIMP-EAGA Heads of Customs Meeting, a side event of the BIMP-EAGA 20th Senior Officials Meeting and 16th Ministerial Meeting that took place in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao.
"The system is undergoing its pilot implementation as we speak, and we hope that this will reduce the cost of doing business as a way forward for National Single Window," said Thomas Koh, the Head of BEBC TIICTD Cluster and President of Brunei Freight Forwarders Association.
He added that the i-CLID is aligned with one of the BIMP-EAGA's three strategic thrusts, which is enhancing connectivity within its sub-region.
BEBC acts as a voice and catalyst of the private sector to establish BIMP-EAGA as a model for Asean toward competitiveness and economic integration to contribute towards peace and prosperity in the region.
The i-CLID project is a private-sector driven project that aimed to facilitate cross-border trade by leveraging on ICT technology as a tool through application of RFID and Web Technology.
The signing of the MoU marked an important milestone for the ICT Working Group, especially in nurturing collaborations with the private sector, as its participation is the way forward to a speedy ICT development.
The project proposed is to address cross-border issues and ease trade barriers, consisting of study, survey and data collection on cross-border activities, product development as well as the adoption and execution of the pilot project at Brunei's and Sarawak's borders, and eventually Indonesian borders.
First to be introduced on Borneo Island, i-CLID uses the Single Window architecture for ease of integration with relevant authorities and agencies, to ease communication between the end users and the relevant agencies and/or authorities.
Mr Koh said that BIMP-EAGA's goals and strategies on transport and logistics would help stimulate economic development, narrow the development gap, improve intra and extra-EAGA connectivity as well as improve the quality of transport and logistics systems.
In the end, this will result in significant cost reductions and efficiency in doing business
|
Saturday, October 22, 2011
BIMP-EAGA - Customs Clearance
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Bimp-Eaga: Mindanao-Palawan Development
(Empowering the Filipino People)
By Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos
March 26, 2011, 10:06pm
MANILA, Philippines – Last 11 March, as TV reports flashed world-wide on the devastation from an 8.9 magnitude earthquake causing 10-meter-high tsunamis that shattered Sendai, Fukushima, and other northeast Japan prefectures, FVR was in Kota Kinabalu to foster sustainable tourism and environmental conservation in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
Seeing the massive destruction of lives, property, and the environment, FVR discarded his keynote speech for the EAGA 2011 Expo, and declared to a large audience: “Let us promote BIMP-EAGA as a quake-free investment area.”
This turned out to be a strong message to market BIMP-EAGA! While in Sabah, FVR cancelled his visit to Tokyo, scheduled 14-18 March, to address the graduating class at J.F. Oberlin University and conveyed his deep sympathy to his Japanese hosts for the grievous tragedy.
Ingredients for modernization
Today, we focus on Mindanao-Palawan access and marketing development and their connectivities from other components of BIMP-EAGA. Coincidentally, we recall that last 24 March was the 17th anniversary of the formal launching of BIMP-EAGA in Davao in 1994.
So, what still should the Philippine government – both national and LGUs – plus the private sector – do to facilitate long-delayed progress in the Southern Philippines?
In his remarks at the opening of BIMP-EAGA 2011 Expo in Kota Kinabalu and, similarly, at the Tourism Development Centre launch at the University of Malaysia-Sabah, FVR emphasized:
“This is a good time to revitalize our East ASEAN Growth Area – since the Asia-Pacific region is returning to growth after a second, even more severe global recession in 2008 caused by immoderate greed in America’s financial system.
“BIMP-EAGA has the ingredients for sustainable modernization, being rich in human power and natural resources, and is linked by that great avenue of global commerce – the South China Sea. EAGA counts on political leadership strong and intelligent enough to guarantee the stability that capital, labor and knowledge need to create social wealth.
“EAGA has an area of 1.6 million square kilometers or 5 times that of the Philippines, and a combined population of 70 million vigorous people (the largest component coming from Mindanao/Palawan).”
Need for a free trade zone in BIMP-EAGA
Some 100 delegates from the Philippines (mostly from ARMM, Palawan, and Northern Mindanao) – including Palawan Governor Abraham Mitra; General Jose Magno, chairman of the Citra-Metro Manila Tollways Corporation; Maan Hontiveros, CEO, AirAsia-Philippines; Cagayan de Oro Congressman Peter Unabia; and ARMM Executive Secretary Naguib Sinarimbo – participated.
Together with other Philippine delegates, FVR dialogued with senior leaders, notably Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Industrial Development Minister Raymond Tan, and Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Zainal Adlin. Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman, official host of the Expo and Tourism events, was then in India on mission.
In Sabah in September, 2004, FVR proposed (and now reiterates): That ASEAN leaders consider making EAGA a free-trade zone within the larger ASEAN free-trade area. This will attract global investors to avail of various incentives.
There were some 30,000 visitors at the Expo, which featured 100 exhibition displays (14 from the Philippines), showcasing the sub-region’s best in Malay nativecraft; industrial, marine and agri-aqua products such as processed food; and tourism packages.
Maritime heartland in the South China Sea
Throughout history’s ebb and flow, East ASEAN’s sealanes have been conduits not only of trade and technology but also of great religions and civilizations.
Only during the “Age of Colonization” – at its height in the 19th century – did Southeast Asia’s economic centers of gravity shift to the emergent capitals of the region’s new states: Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Bandar Seri Begawan.
Under this colonial pattern of development, our country’s southern islands receded into obscurity and neglect – though Mindanao possesses tremendous agricultural potentials and Palawan contains vast hydrocarbon resources.
The US and China, now the “Big Two,” are the rival poles of the global power balance. Only China – a continental country that is a civilization in itself – has the long-term potential to challenge America’s preeminence.
Their erstwhile rapport (generated by 9-11 jihadist terrorism) has been replaced by “strategic mistrust,” although not yet outright “strategic antagonism,” according to US analysts.
The Pentagon has been shifting its overseas deployments from Western Europe to the Pacific, and from Northeast Asia southward – toward Guam, the Philippines (with its Visiting Forces Agreement), and Singapore (where US warships have anchorage spaces).
China makes no secret of building a “blue-water” navy – to protect its coastal logistics hubs and seaborne trade, which generate 60-70% of GDP. Already, China’s Navy is beginning to contest US dominance of the South China Sea, which is ASEAN’s “maritime heartland.”
The warming up between Washington and Beijing following President Hu Jintao’s state visit last February is an important happening for the EAGA community which would be among the victims – should armed conflict erupt between these two titans.
Revitalizing EAGA
The BIMP-EAGA 2011 Expo and Tourism Development Center are praiseworthy efforts of Sabah authorities. No less than Brunei Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Jock Lim, BIMP-EAGA Business Council Chairman Andru Subowo (of Indonesia), and delegates of Australia’s adjacent states were on hand to push partnership programs.
Now, because the time is right, EAGA and its constituent local governments should complete badly needed infrastructures.
Our EAGA sub-region claims some success in integrating RORO land-sea transport services, following the Philippine system that has cut down travel costs for goods and people in our 7,107 islands.
Our four BIMP countries have improved many small air-seaports for inter-island access and are planning electric-power grids and communications systems to link component regions.
The Philippines is stimulating local industry through a “One Town, One Product” (OTOP) rural strategy, although still lacking in post-harvest, food-preservation, and other facilities.
BIMP-EAGA’s future
Clearly, governments can only do so much. At bottom, individual enterprise must supply the motive power for sustainable development.
Private sector linkages must connect separate islands into the synergetic whole that our political leaders of the mid-1990s envisioned for East ASEAN.
What future can we foresee for EAGA? We frankly say: Our sub-region’s future is what its leaders will make of it – for better or for worse.
To restore EAGA to its former glory of eight centuries ago, the first thing to do is to again make it the virtually borderless trading and cultural community that it was before the “Age of Colonization.”
This was the rationale for our previous proposal to make EAGA a Special Free Trade Zone.
Developments on BIMP-EAGA initiatives
As of February, 2011, the BIMP-EAGA Facilitation Center (the official Secretariat), reported these initiatives since 2008:
(1) Enhancing intra-EAGA linkages: Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines provided incentives to airlines; designated more entry points; and adopted common shipping policies.
(2) Optimizing ICT: in tariff rationalization, financial services, and planned submarine cables.
(3) Intensifying tourism development: Thru unified marketing programs, community-based ecotourism projects, and EAGA’s “Wonders of the Natural World.”
(4) Marketing “value-added” products: With a “Fisheries Consortium” and Foodbasket Concept (including “Halal” items).
(5) Strengthening SMEs.
(6) Harmonizing Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, and Security rules.
(7) Fortifying LGU participation.
(8) Reinforcing trade, investment, and tourism collaboration with strategic partners (China, US, Japan, EU, Australia, South Korea, Canada, Russia, etc.).
BIMP-EAGA’s potentials barely fulfilled
Concurrently, our four governments must build the physical and intellectual infrastructure that will raise local economies to the level of our main islands.
The truth is that we have barely scratched the surface of EAGA’s potentials.
The challenge for the Philippines is to optimize our assets for the benefit of those who live and work in our southern islands. As elsewhere in East Asia, the success of BIMP-EAGA will depend on how closely governments and the private sector work together.
Cooperation for mutual benefit is the kind of synergy we encourage. This is why Filipinos should welcome opportunities to exploit EAGA’s potentials and support BIMP joint ventures. After all, more than being close neighbors, we are all members of the Southeast Asian family.
Since the ingredients for a dynamic, competitive economy exist abundantly in EAGA, there is no reason why cooperative endeavors should not expand and provide long-term benefits for the peoples of our sub-region.
Recommendations to Malacañang, LGUs, and private sector
We urgently recommend to our national and local authorities -- in partnership with the private sector -- the following:
(1) Urge our Mindanao Authority (MINDA), created by R.A. 9996 in February, 2010 (which, unfortunately, was not represented in Expo 2011 by any ranking official due to “lack of budgeted funds”) to engage more positively with EAGA counterparts, particularly in program implementation.
(2) Focus on current and longer-term initiatives outlined above.
(3) Support Mindanao-Palawan tourism development in terms of access and marketing, particularly Palawan’s “Underground River” which is a top contender in the ongoing “Wonders of the Natural World” contest.
Kaya ba natin ito (CAN WE DO THIS)? Kaya natin (YES, WE CAN)!
Please send any comments to fvr@rpdev.org. Copies of articles are available at www.rpdev.org.
By Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos
March 26, 2011, 10:06pm
MANILA, Philippines – Last 11 March, as TV reports flashed world-wide on the devastation from an 8.9 magnitude earthquake causing 10-meter-high tsunamis that shattered Sendai, Fukushima, and other northeast Japan prefectures, FVR was in Kota Kinabalu to foster sustainable tourism and environmental conservation in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
Seeing the massive destruction of lives, property, and the environment, FVR discarded his keynote speech for the EAGA 2011 Expo, and declared to a large audience: “Let us promote BIMP-EAGA as a quake-free investment area.”
This turned out to be a strong message to market BIMP-EAGA! While in Sabah, FVR cancelled his visit to Tokyo, scheduled 14-18 March, to address the graduating class at J.F. Oberlin University and conveyed his deep sympathy to his Japanese hosts for the grievous tragedy.
Ingredients for modernization
Today, we focus on Mindanao-Palawan access and marketing development and their connectivities from other components of BIMP-EAGA. Coincidentally, we recall that last 24 March was the 17th anniversary of the formal launching of BIMP-EAGA in Davao in 1994.
So, what still should the Philippine government – both national and LGUs – plus the private sector – do to facilitate long-delayed progress in the Southern Philippines?
In his remarks at the opening of BIMP-EAGA 2011 Expo in Kota Kinabalu and, similarly, at the Tourism Development Centre launch at the University of Malaysia-Sabah, FVR emphasized:
“This is a good time to revitalize our East ASEAN Growth Area – since the Asia-Pacific region is returning to growth after a second, even more severe global recession in 2008 caused by immoderate greed in America’s financial system.
“BIMP-EAGA has the ingredients for sustainable modernization, being rich in human power and natural resources, and is linked by that great avenue of global commerce – the South China Sea. EAGA counts on political leadership strong and intelligent enough to guarantee the stability that capital, labor and knowledge need to create social wealth.
“EAGA has an area of 1.6 million square kilometers or 5 times that of the Philippines, and a combined population of 70 million vigorous people (the largest component coming from Mindanao/Palawan).”
Need for a free trade zone in BIMP-EAGA
Some 100 delegates from the Philippines (mostly from ARMM, Palawan, and Northern Mindanao) – including Palawan Governor Abraham Mitra; General Jose Magno, chairman of the Citra-Metro Manila Tollways Corporation; Maan Hontiveros, CEO, AirAsia-Philippines; Cagayan de Oro Congressman Peter Unabia; and ARMM Executive Secretary Naguib Sinarimbo – participated.
Together with other Philippine delegates, FVR dialogued with senior leaders, notably Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Industrial Development Minister Raymond Tan, and Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Zainal Adlin. Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman, official host of the Expo and Tourism events, was then in India on mission.
In Sabah in September, 2004, FVR proposed (and now reiterates): That ASEAN leaders consider making EAGA a free-trade zone within the larger ASEAN free-trade area. This will attract global investors to avail of various incentives.
There were some 30,000 visitors at the Expo, which featured 100 exhibition displays (14 from the Philippines), showcasing the sub-region’s best in Malay nativecraft; industrial, marine and agri-aqua products such as processed food; and tourism packages.
Maritime heartland in the South China Sea
Throughout history’s ebb and flow, East ASEAN’s sealanes have been conduits not only of trade and technology but also of great religions and civilizations.
Only during the “Age of Colonization” – at its height in the 19th century – did Southeast Asia’s economic centers of gravity shift to the emergent capitals of the region’s new states: Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Bandar Seri Begawan.
Under this colonial pattern of development, our country’s southern islands receded into obscurity and neglect – though Mindanao possesses tremendous agricultural potentials and Palawan contains vast hydrocarbon resources.
The US and China, now the “Big Two,” are the rival poles of the global power balance. Only China – a continental country that is a civilization in itself – has the long-term potential to challenge America’s preeminence.
Their erstwhile rapport (generated by 9-11 jihadist terrorism) has been replaced by “strategic mistrust,” although not yet outright “strategic antagonism,” according to US analysts.
The Pentagon has been shifting its overseas deployments from Western Europe to the Pacific, and from Northeast Asia southward – toward Guam, the Philippines (with its Visiting Forces Agreement), and Singapore (where US warships have anchorage spaces).
China makes no secret of building a “blue-water” navy – to protect its coastal logistics hubs and seaborne trade, which generate 60-70% of GDP. Already, China’s Navy is beginning to contest US dominance of the South China Sea, which is ASEAN’s “maritime heartland.”
The warming up between Washington and Beijing following President Hu Jintao’s state visit last February is an important happening for the EAGA community which would be among the victims – should armed conflict erupt between these two titans.
Revitalizing EAGA
The BIMP-EAGA 2011 Expo and Tourism Development Center are praiseworthy efforts of Sabah authorities. No less than Brunei Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Jock Lim, BIMP-EAGA Business Council Chairman Andru Subowo (of Indonesia), and delegates of Australia’s adjacent states were on hand to push partnership programs.
Now, because the time is right, EAGA and its constituent local governments should complete badly needed infrastructures.
Our EAGA sub-region claims some success in integrating RORO land-sea transport services, following the Philippine system that has cut down travel costs for goods and people in our 7,107 islands.
Our four BIMP countries have improved many small air-seaports for inter-island access and are planning electric-power grids and communications systems to link component regions.
The Philippines is stimulating local industry through a “One Town, One Product” (OTOP) rural strategy, although still lacking in post-harvest, food-preservation, and other facilities.
BIMP-EAGA’s future
Clearly, governments can only do so much. At bottom, individual enterprise must supply the motive power for sustainable development.
Private sector linkages must connect separate islands into the synergetic whole that our political leaders of the mid-1990s envisioned for East ASEAN.
What future can we foresee for EAGA? We frankly say: Our sub-region’s future is what its leaders will make of it – for better or for worse.
To restore EAGA to its former glory of eight centuries ago, the first thing to do is to again make it the virtually borderless trading and cultural community that it was before the “Age of Colonization.”
This was the rationale for our previous proposal to make EAGA a Special Free Trade Zone.
Developments on BIMP-EAGA initiatives
As of February, 2011, the BIMP-EAGA Facilitation Center (the official Secretariat), reported these initiatives since 2008:
(1) Enhancing intra-EAGA linkages: Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines provided incentives to airlines; designated more entry points; and adopted common shipping policies.
(2) Optimizing ICT: in tariff rationalization, financial services, and planned submarine cables.
(3) Intensifying tourism development: Thru unified marketing programs, community-based ecotourism projects, and EAGA’s “Wonders of the Natural World.”
(4) Marketing “value-added” products: With a “Fisheries Consortium” and Foodbasket Concept (including “Halal” items).
(5) Strengthening SMEs.
(6) Harmonizing Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, and Security rules.
(7) Fortifying LGU participation.
(8) Reinforcing trade, investment, and tourism collaboration with strategic partners (China, US, Japan, EU, Australia, South Korea, Canada, Russia, etc.).
BIMP-EAGA’s potentials barely fulfilled
Concurrently, our four governments must build the physical and intellectual infrastructure that will raise local economies to the level of our main islands.
The truth is that we have barely scratched the surface of EAGA’s potentials.
The challenge for the Philippines is to optimize our assets for the benefit of those who live and work in our southern islands. As elsewhere in East Asia, the success of BIMP-EAGA will depend on how closely governments and the private sector work together.
Cooperation for mutual benefit is the kind of synergy we encourage. This is why Filipinos should welcome opportunities to exploit EAGA’s potentials and support BIMP joint ventures. After all, more than being close neighbors, we are all members of the Southeast Asian family.
Since the ingredients for a dynamic, competitive economy exist abundantly in EAGA, there is no reason why cooperative endeavors should not expand and provide long-term benefits for the peoples of our sub-region.
Recommendations to Malacañang, LGUs, and private sector
We urgently recommend to our national and local authorities -- in partnership with the private sector -- the following:
(1) Urge our Mindanao Authority (MINDA), created by R.A. 9996 in February, 2010 (which, unfortunately, was not represented in Expo 2011 by any ranking official due to “lack of budgeted funds”) to engage more positively with EAGA counterparts, particularly in program implementation.
(2) Focus on current and longer-term initiatives outlined above.
(3) Support Mindanao-Palawan tourism development in terms of access and marketing, particularly Palawan’s “Underground River” which is a top contender in the ongoing “Wonders of the Natural World” contest.
Kaya ba natin ito (CAN WE DO THIS)? Kaya natin (YES, WE CAN)!
Please send any comments to fvr@rpdev.org. Copies of articles are available at www.rpdev.org.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
INVESTMENT
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) attracted RM30.06 billion in investments from the private sector and government-linked companies under Phase 1 of its implementation from 2008 to 2010.
More than RM11.9 billion in projects had already been carried out, surpassing its target of RM11.3 billion.
Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia) said in a report that it was now in the midst of negotiations with potential investors from Brunei, Middle Eastern countries, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, China, India, South Korea and Japan.
A key measure of success for the first phase was the implementation of all flagship SDC projects, such as the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) Lahad Datu, POIC Sandakan, Sandakan Education Hub and the Keningau Integrated Livestock Centre.
Other projects that have commenced are the Sabah Agro-Industrial Precinct and a number of agropolitan and infrastructure projects.
All the SDC Phase One projects, worth RM1.27 billion, had been tendered out and awarded to Sabah-based contractors by Sept 30.
In terms of job opportunities and employment creation, about 32,900 new jobs were made available in 2008 and 40,000 in 2009.
Launched in January 2008, the SDC is to be implemented in three phases.
The second phase commences this year and lasts until 2015.
The final phase is from 2016 to 2025.
Under the SDC blueprint, the focus phase is to lay the foundation for growth.
It will set off and intensify economic initiatives, plugging gaps in the infrastructure, and implement social and environmental initiatives, especially poverty eradication programmes.
Phase Two would be aimed at accelerating economic growth by attracting greater private investment and would provide specialised infrastructure with first-class human capital.
Sedia anticipates tourism to surpass the 10 per cent share of gross domestic product.
It also sees the creation of a critical mass of small and medium enterprises, serving downstream manufacturing companies.
The plan also includes agro-businesses, featuring high-value agriculture.
"The key measure for the Phase Two is for GDP to double by 2015 or for it to reach RM32 billion from 2006 figures," the Sedia report said.
The final phase of the SDC is all about expansion, aiming for Sabah to emerge as one of the leading economic regions in Malaysia, especially in resource-based industrie
Read more: Sabah Corridor gets RM30b invesments http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/11kors/Article#ixzz1GgA7Rx4t
More than RM11.9 billion in projects had already been carried out, surpassing its target of RM11.3 billion.
Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia) said in a report that it was now in the midst of negotiations with potential investors from Brunei, Middle Eastern countries, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, China, India, South Korea and Japan.
A key measure of success for the first phase was the implementation of all flagship SDC projects, such as the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) Lahad Datu, POIC Sandakan, Sandakan Education Hub and the Keningau Integrated Livestock Centre.
Other projects that have commenced are the Sabah Agro-Industrial Precinct and a number of agropolitan and infrastructure projects.
All the SDC Phase One projects, worth RM1.27 billion, had been tendered out and awarded to Sabah-based contractors by Sept 30.
In terms of job opportunities and employment creation, about 32,900 new jobs were made available in 2008 and 40,000 in 2009.
Launched in January 2008, the SDC is to be implemented in three phases.
The second phase commences this year and lasts until 2015.
The final phase is from 2016 to 2025.
Under the SDC blueprint, the focus phase is to lay the foundation for growth.
It will set off and intensify economic initiatives, plugging gaps in the infrastructure, and implement social and environmental initiatives, especially poverty eradication programmes.
Phase Two would be aimed at accelerating economic growth by attracting greater private investment and would provide specialised infrastructure with first-class human capital.
Sedia anticipates tourism to surpass the 10 per cent share of gross domestic product.
It also sees the creation of a critical mass of small and medium enterprises, serving downstream manufacturing companies.
The plan also includes agro-businesses, featuring high-value agriculture.
"The key measure for the Phase Two is for GDP to double by 2015 or for it to reach RM32 billion from 2006 figures," the Sedia report said.
The final phase of the SDC is all about expansion, aiming for Sabah to emerge as one of the leading economic regions in Malaysia, especially in resource-based industrie
Read more: Sabah Corridor gets RM30b invesments http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/11kors/Article#ixzz1GgA7Rx4t
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Transport Linkage
New Brunei-Menumbok ferry starts
Published on: Thursday, December 31, 2009
MENUMBOK: The Menumbok Jetty Terminal is now providing a direct ferry service to Brunei, uplifting its status to that of an international-level ferry terminal.
The service is provided under the Brunei Darussalam National Development Plan and Shuttle Hope is the first ferry from Brunei to begin operations.
This means there would now be increased tourists flow, as well as goods between both Sabah and Brunei.
The 44.49 metre ferry costing RM19.2 million has a 200-passenger capacity and also has a VIP room.
The ferry, owned by a Brunei-based Syarikat PKL Jaya Sendirian Berhad and equipped with safety and security equipment including closed circuit television units (CCTVs).
It can accommodate up to 200 passengers as well as 45 vehicles per trip.
There are some restrictions on the size of the vehicles allowed on board and this includes container lorries, according to its Executive Director Chin Mook Seng.
The ferry departs from Menumbok daily and takes about two-and-a-half hours from Menumbok Ferry Jetty Terminal to reach Serasa Ferry Terminal in Brunei Darussalam, at the speed of 14 knots.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
PALM OIL INDUSTRIAL CLUSTER (POIC)
Call for strong biomass policy in oil palm industry
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia needs a strong biomass policy to encourage investors to be involved in renewal energy by utilising the country’s oil palm industry.
Palm Oil Industrial Cluster Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Dr Pang Teck Wai said the absence of such a policy discouraged many oil palm players to consider renewal energy as part of their business plan.
“There is no doubt that we should be able to generate renewable energy from palm oil mill effluent (POME) and empty fruit bunches (EFBs).
“However, this needs to be policy-driven because there are just not enough incentives for oil palm players to consider renewable energy as part of their business plan.
“Neither is there sufficient deterrent in our laws to compel players to reduce their carbon footprints,” Pang said.
He was responding to newspaper reports quoting Malaysia Palm Oil Board chairman Datuk Sabri Ahmad as saying that Sabah could tap its power-generating potential from oil palm biomass, including methane gas from what is known in the industry as POME, which is about 65% methane.
He said although statistics showed that Sabah produced over 30% of Malaysia’s palm oil, little of the oil palm biomass was being commercially utilised. — Bernama
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia needs a strong biomass policy to encourage investors to be involved in renewal energy by utilising the country’s oil palm industry.
Palm Oil Industrial Cluster Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Dr Pang Teck Wai said the absence of such a policy discouraged many oil palm players to consider renewal energy as part of their business plan.
“There is no doubt that we should be able to generate renewable energy from palm oil mill effluent (POME) and empty fruit bunches (EFBs).
“However, this needs to be policy-driven because there are just not enough incentives for oil palm players to consider renewable energy as part of their business plan.
“Neither is there sufficient deterrent in our laws to compel players to reduce their carbon footprints,” Pang said.
He was responding to newspaper reports quoting Malaysia Palm Oil Board chairman Datuk Sabri Ahmad as saying that Sabah could tap its power-generating potential from oil palm biomass, including methane gas from what is known in the industry as POME, which is about 65% methane.
He said although statistics showed that Sabah produced over 30% of Malaysia’s palm oil, little of the oil palm biomass was being commercially utilised. — Bernama
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
THAILAND-MALAYSIA ECONOMIC COOPERATION
Up north and beyond into Thailand, much is happening, economically. BIMP-Eaga has been around too long and nothing much of a headway had come out of it.
Saturday, 19 December 2009
Ministry vows to make region a trade hub
Via Bangkok Post: The Commerce Ministry has vowed to turn the violence-plagued provinces in the deep South into a commercial and investment hub in collaboration with neighbouring Malaysia.
Thailand and Malaysia would jointly develop five economic areas in five southern provinces of Thailand and five neighbouring cities in the northern region of Malaysia, said Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot.
He visited Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat yesterday to listen to what the local business sectors in the region as well as their Malaysian counterparts had to say about the joint economic development policies of both countries.
The five economic areas to be developed are trade, tourism, investment, logistics and the halal business, said Mr Alongkorn.
Business operators in Narathiwat told Mr Alongkorn to encourage the government to extend them soft loans and push to set up a large new trade centre.
Pot Phaibunkasemsuk, president of the Southern Border Provinces Chamber of Commerce, said the local business operators wanted the government to accelerate implementation of those economic relief measures the cabinet has approved for operators affected by southern violence.
The chamber also wanted the government to subsidise the expansion of NGV stations and financially support heavy truck operators in the restive areas to convert to gas-fuelled vehicles in order to bring down transport costs.
Saturday, 19 December 2009
Ministry vows to make region a trade hub
Via Bangkok Post: The Commerce Ministry has vowed to turn the violence-plagued provinces in the deep South into a commercial and investment hub in collaboration with neighbouring Malaysia.
Thailand and Malaysia would jointly develop five economic areas in five southern provinces of Thailand and five neighbouring cities in the northern region of Malaysia, said Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot.
He visited Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat yesterday to listen to what the local business sectors in the region as well as their Malaysian counterparts had to say about the joint economic development policies of both countries.
The five economic areas to be developed are trade, tourism, investment, logistics and the halal business, said Mr Alongkorn.
Business operators in Narathiwat told Mr Alongkorn to encourage the government to extend them soft loans and push to set up a large new trade centre.
Pot Phaibunkasemsuk, president of the Southern Border Provinces Chamber of Commerce, said the local business operators wanted the government to accelerate implementation of those economic relief measures the cabinet has approved for operators affected by southern violence.
The chamber also wanted the government to subsidise the expansion of NGV stations and financially support heavy truck operators in the restive areas to convert to gas-fuelled vehicles in order to bring down transport costs.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
IMPROVED LOGISTICS SERVICES
DHL launches Economy Select Service that offers up to 30% in cost savings
April 22, 2009, 3:49pm
DHL Philippines, the leading express and logistics company, announced the launch of its full suite of intra-Asia DHL Economy Select service to include both inbound and outbound shipments in the Philippines and 17 other locations in Asia Pacific. DHL Economy Select offers the convenience of door-to-door delivery of non-time-sensitive, inbound and outbound consignments within Asia Pacific, at attractive prices, without any compromise in service quality or access to DHL’s in-house customs expertise.
Unlike DHL’s premium guaranteed ‘time-definite, next-day’ service to most locations within Asia Pacific, DHL Economy Select service has a transit period of between two to four business days, depending on location. However, customers will enjoy further cost savings of up to 30 percent, especially for shipments of over 45 kg. With DHL Economy Select, the shipments are handled at the same level of service appropriated to other smaller, time-sensitive parcels, allowing customers to benefit from full end-to-end checkpoint visibility and simplified paperwork due to the provision of a single invoice with no hidden transportation costs upon delivery.
“As the market leading Express player, we’re mindful of the current economic climate and have developed a product tailored to meet our customers’ needs. With the near-term economic outlook, businesses are looking at every aspect of their operating costs. With up to 30 per cent cost savings for shipments over 45kg, DHL Economy Select offers customers the flexibility of sending less urgent items at a reduced cost, but with the assurance of the security and reliability of our premier Express services”, said Dan McHugh, CEO, DHL Express Asia Pacific.
“DHL Economy Select is an ideal economic and cost-effective delivery service for less urgent business-to-business shipments, while still offering the hassle-free convenience of a door-to-door service that DHL is known for,” said Ahmad Mohamad, DHL Country Manager for the Philippines. “We have always been committed to offering a wider range of services to our customers to give the flexibility to choose which type of service is perfect for their changing needs.”
“Since our launch in October last year, DHL Economy Select has been widely received among customers in the Philippines. Driven by the strong demand for the service, it’s timely for us to extend DHL Economy Select to inbound shipments as well, as we continue to offer greater cost efficiencies for our customers,” Ahmad Mohamad added.
DHL Economy Select is now available as a fully inbound and outbound intra-Asia service offering in Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. This service will be extended between Asia Pacific/ Europe and Asia Pacific/ US by Q4 2009.
DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source.
DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport, contract logistic solutions as well as international mail services, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. More than 300,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations.
DHL is a Deutsche Post World Net brand. The group generated revenues of P60 billion in 2006.
BlogNote: This is what service is all about. Its about going beyond what is already being provided. This augurs well for the economy in facing up with the sort of weakening economy that we are in now.
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