Funds set for secretariat

Funds set for secretariat

JAKARTA (JP): Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines have agreed to provide an annual contribution of US$50,000 each to support the operation of the secretariat for their sub- regional cooperation, an official said.

"Brunei, the host of the secretariat, will have to pay the balance of its annual spending, which may reach $400,000 a year," Agus Viragoandi, vice chairman of the Indonesian delegation to a meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan of the Brunei-Malaysia-Indonesia- Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area, was quoted by Antara as saying over the weekend.

Senior officials and ministers of the growth area held meetings in the Brunei capital city from Oct. 29 to 31.

The growth area involves bordering provinces of the four countries, including Mindanao in the Philippines, Serawak, Labuhan and Sabah in Malaysia and Indonesia's North Sulawesi and East and West Kalimantan.(01)