Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi wants four countries, namely Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and the Philippines to collaborate to improve logistics connectivity.
Budi said, this collaboration is expected to further strengthen the economic competitiveness between the four ASEAN sub-regional countries, within the framework of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) cooperation.
Our enthusiasm is to make connectivity between the four countries better. I am optimistic that good communication and collaboration will grow the regional economy," he said in an official statement, Thursday, February 23.
Budi said that geographically the four ASEAN sub-regional countries are very strategic, because they are in the midst of the vortex of European and Chinese logistics. Therefore, this strategic position needs to be utilized by creating various real programs to increase competitiveness and increase logistics efficiency.
Sea transportation is the backbone in international trade. Therefore, the mandate of these four ASEAN countries must collaborate to improve existing ports, so that in the end they can create a world logistics force," he said.
On the same occasion, the Head of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Logistics and Supply Chain Agency, Akbar Djohan, said that the BIMP EAGA cooperation is expected to help the four countries to face challenges in infrastructure, policies and regulations, which are still being found in the ASEAN region.
"We are trying to create a more friendly environment for business and investment in our country, increase support for small and medium enterprises, encourage digital platform-based entrepreneurs and businesses, and improve our infrastructure to support global industries," explained Akbar Djohan.
Meanwhile, the President Director of PT Pelindo Arif Suhartono hopes that the BIMP EAGA cooperation can be a solution to the various challenges faced. In addition, he hopes that each country can also have a better agreement and collaborate to provide added value, especially in sea transportation.
The BIMP-EAGA cooperation was formed in 1994, with the aim of increasing economic cooperation, increasing trade, investment and tourism, through cross-border cooperation in the ASEAN sub-regional.
The cooperation carried out is not only between the government (G to G), but also between the private sectors (B to B), to reduce logistics costs and create a sustainable economy and attract its member countries.
The Ministry of Transportation, said Budi, has been actively involved in a number of discussions carried out by working groups that were formed for both the land, sea, and air transportation sectors.
One form of commitment to improve maritime connectivity between the four countries is by developing Makassar Port (Makassar New Port).
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