Minda rep tops project mgmt training in Malaysia

PHILIPPINE representative was cited for excellent performance in the “Regional Training on Project Management” for BIMP-Eaga and IMTGT held recently at the Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang, Malaysia.

Gemma Dagaas, development management officer IV of the Mindanao Development Authority (Minda), received special recognition for “Best Project Proposal” along with her five team members who presented during the training conducted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under its Advancing Regional Cooperation and Integration through the BIMP-Eaga and IMTGT.

BIMP-Eaga stands for Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia the Philippines East Asean Growth Area, while IMTGT stands for Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Growth Area. The two sub-regional groupings were formed with the goals of promoting trade, investment, and tourism in less-developed states and provinces.

Dagaas and her team members from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia presented the project proposal entitled “BIMP-Eaga E-Commerce Business Project,” aimed to create a conducive business environment that attracts and promotes trade, investment, and entrepreneurship. The proposal also highlights the crucial role of online businesses in promoting cross-cutting projects that will improve the quality of life and narrow digital divide among entrepreneurs in the economic sub-grouping.

Intended to enhance capabilities of key secretariat personnel of the sub-regional groupings, the training was undertaken by ADB in partnership with the BIMP-Eaga Facilitation Center (FC) and the Center for IMT-GT Sub-regional Cooperation (CIMT).

Two dozen trainees from five participating countries were grouped into multi-country learning teams to facilitate

participatory learning and encourage cross-cultural exchange.

It was an exercise of convergence between the Asean nations as they flex their muscles in anticipation of the wider regional economic integration in Southeast Asia.

“It is a microcosm of what the subregions are working to achieve -- regional cooperation to participate and benefit from the larger Asean Economic Community,” said Dagaas of the training.

As the Philippine Coordinating Office for the BIMP-Eaga (PCOBE) covering Mindanao and Palawan, Minda sent Dagaas as its trainee. She was joined by Marilou Laguting, chief of staff and supervising trade and industry development specialist of the regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI 11). The training was participated in by officials and members of sub-regions’ cluster and working groups, staff of BIMP-Eaga FC and CIMT, and representatives from education or training institutions expected to organize national training programs.