The Information and
Communications Technology (ICT) Working Group for the
Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines–East 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 applications.
In 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 program’s 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.
Lastly, 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.
Brunei
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.
(Source:
FutureGov)
Further
details