Brunei

Philippines

The BIMP-EAST ASEAN BUSINESS COUNCIL (EABC) is the official representative of the private sector of BIMP-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

It was born 19 November 1994 in Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines through Resolution No. 1 of the First East Asean Business Convention & Exhibits. The concept was for a private sector organization to catalyze the private sector of EAGA into undertaking economic cooperation activities in the region, and play a lead role in the region's economic development. The EABC Secretariat was launched on November 19, 1996, two years after the creation of the Council. From its office in Brunei, the Secretariat carries on the Council's day-to-day operations.

Some achievements of the Council and its Secretariat include

• Participation at Senior Officials Meetings (SOM) as a distinct delegation;
• Launch of print publications (EAGA Business Update, Weekend Review) and the EABC website, the repository of data and latest updates on all Working Groups and SOM, plus statistics and country profiles;
• Conduct of the BIMP-EAGA Business Forum, which was first held in Brunei in May 1998;
• Involvement of the Secretariat in the establishment of the EAGA Network of Information, a comprehensive collation of EAGA data soon to be launched on the Internet;
• Hosting of the first BIMP-EAGA Trade Expo (Retailer `99) in Brunei; and 
• Establishment of a strategic alliance with the US-ASEAN Business Council.

Council membership is open to all private sector entities, from partnerships and associations to companies and state-owned corporations, irrespective of location and size. Membership is classified generally into 2 categories: Corporate and Associate.