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The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Working
Group for the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-PhilippinesEast ASEAN Growth
Area (BIMP-EAGA) identified three
major projects to be included in the BIMP-EAGA Implementation
Blueprint (IB) for 2012-2016.
According to Attorney Jonalyn Bagayan from the Mindanao Development Authority, the
projects includes the roll out of the ICT rural outreach
program, the establishment of the BIMP-EAGA rink
(submarine cable), and the implementation of the Intelligence Clearance Identification (iClid).
The ICT Rural
outreach program aims to improve ICT literacy of rural communities
through the construction of e-telecentres equipped with e-Learning models and mobile
the Philippines, the Committee has identified 30 pilot sites in the Autonomous Region
for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for the roll-out of the e-telecentres.
Each pilot site is expected to have 20 computers.
E.A. Trillink Inc. is the private sector lead of the program
in the Philippines. The latter is investing US$33 million
for the installation of around 2,000 telecentres in ARMM.
Meanwhile, Brunei has successfully implemented the programs first phase which includes
training courses on e-commerce and the establishment of e-telecentres equipped with
broadband internet, and other applications.
The BIMP - EAGA Rink
project on the other hand, aims to develop BIMP-EAGA as
a new hub and centre of investment by leveraging a Hybrid Communications Platform
which would make use of sea cable, satellite, or terrestrial systems.
the iCLid project will use a combination of Radio-frequency Identification and web
technology to facilitate cross-border movement of goods and vehicles within the BIMP-EAGA region.
Darussalam has already implemented the first phase of the project in Sungai Tujoh
and Kuala Lurah, and will extend it to Sabah and Sarawak checkpoints in Malaysia for
the second phase. Each checkpoint is estimated to cost around US$1.5 million.