Airline for growth area

Airline for growth area

MANILA (Reuter): President Fidel Ramos has ordered three senior officials to work for the creation of an airline to serve the sub-regional growth area formed by four southeast Asian countries, the presidential palace said on Saturday.

The growth area, which is known as the East Asean Growth Area (EAGA), comprises the backdoor provinces of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines and the state of Brunei.

Ramos and Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad agreed on Friday to set up the airline with private sector participation.

Ramos directed Philippine foreign affairs secretary Domingo Siazon, transportation and communication secretary Amado Lagdameo and presidential assistant for Mindanao Paul Dominguez to work to put the plan into action.