Darwin to cement transport and trade links with eastern ASEAN zone

<p>Darwin would host a formalisation of trade links with an eastern southeast Asia economic development body today (Thursday, April 26), a spokesman for chief minister Clare Martin confirmed.</p> <p>The Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), an association of southeast Asian nations’ (ASEAN) initiative, and the Northern Territory Government will formalise trade links at a meeting involving both the public and private sectors.</p> <p>Called the third BIMP-EAGA-NT Dialogue, the meeting will identify concrete programs and projects, as well as explore various products that can be traded between the zone and the Territory, which became BIMP-EAGA’s development partner in 2004.</p> <p>The meeting will cover discussions on transport, trade facilitation, tourism, business, skilled migration and education, including student exchange and nurse training programs.</p> <p>The Philippine delegation will lead the discussions on trade facilitation, which intends to address non-tariff barriers in customs, immigration, quarantine and security.</p> <p>&#8220This is in view of NT’s aim to develop Darwin as Australia’s gateway to Asia, given Darwin’s potential to increase trade between BIMP-EAGA, NT and the rest of Australia. Darwin boasts of excellent port facilities and a rail network that connects Darwin to southern cities of Australia,&#8221 Malaysian national news agency Bernama has reported.</p> <p>Talks on transport linkages will be led by Brunei. </p> <p>Among items to be discussed are the possibility of the NT Government giving concessions to regional airlines, such as granting cheaper landing rights, establishing mechanisms to grant such concessions and establishing air and sea links.</p> <p>NT will lead discussions on business and skilled migration, specifically on procedures and regulations. </p> <p>About 25,000 jobs are being opened for migrant skilled workers in Australia on account of the booming mining and construction industries.</p> <p>&#8220EAGA member countries are now poised to take full advantage of this opportunity to boost ties with NT, which emerges as a hub for EAGA products and services to the larger Australian market,&#8221 the Philippines minister responsible for BIMP-EAGA, Jesus G Dureza, said.</p> <p>He noted the significance of the EAGA-NT partnership, with the growth area now being recognised by China, Japan, Korea, India and other Asean member countries, Bernama said.</p> <br />