Human resource development and regional cooperation within BIMP-EAGA: Issues and future directions

Abstract

BIMP-EAGA, which includes Brunei Darussalam, the provinces of Sulawesi and Kalimantan, Maluku and Irian Jaya in Indonesia, Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan in Malaysia and the islands of Mindanao and Palawan in the Philippines, was formed with the vision of accelerating economic cooperation for the greater prosperity of the member nations of the region. Since the human factor is critical for development it is pertinent to study and link it with the overall development policy framework. In this regard, it is essential that member nations examine possibilities of reducing the cost of producing highly and semi-skilled labour through measures including cooperation in joint human resources development programmes. The paper attempts to look at some of the issues underlying collaborative human resources development programmes within the BIMP-EAGA region, including the feasibility of a growth triangle structure for less developed regions. Economic integration through either the concept of a ‘ growth triangle’ or a ‘ growth area’ is consistent with the worldwide trend towards more open trade via subregional integration. The emergence of global markets for new products and services, international competition, technological change and rapid globalization has dramatically increased the integration of economic activities in many parts of the world today. Past experience has shown that such a strategy can be a catalyst in enhancing regional economic growth benefiting the participating countries. However, successful implementation of such economic integration requires collaborative efforts as well as close cooperation among the participating countries. Collaboration and cooperation are required within the whole spectrum of economic development policies