The 1st Equator Asia Air Access Forum and Airline CEO Summit were held at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City on 18 to 19 April 2012, respectively. Malaysia was represented by 10-member delegation comprising Dato Capt. Mohd Nawawi bin Awang, Managing Director of MASwings Sdn.Bhd. and Datuk Tengku Zainal Adlin, Sabah Tourism Board as speakers/resource persons, Consul General Mohammad Azhar Mazlan and two (2) consulate officials, Mr. Mohd Najeeb Abdullah, Principal Assistant Secretary of Ministry of Transport, Malaysia. Also present were Mr. Zainuddin Mohamed and Mr. Sauqi Ahmad of MASwings, Mr. Bobby Alex and Ms. Treacelynn Jupili of Sabah Tourism Board. Ms. Susana Chew and Mr. Thayabaren Ganesan represented the Brunei Darusalam Indonesia Malaysia and the Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Facilitation Center based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
The main objective of the Forum and the Summit was to discuss and exchange views on air service connectivity for the sub-regional grouping considering all the opportunities, challenges as well as constraints. The two meetings arrived at proposed strategies among others, to develop connectivity through packaging the region as one eco-destination, the need to have regulations uniformity and explore new market as well as to promote public awareness about the sub-region and its myriad opportunities. MASwings is scheduled to operate from Kota Kinabalu to Davao City late this year or early next year.
All in all, the Forum and the Summit have been successful in providing a good avenue for industry players to be informed of the business opportunities for air service and tourism industries as it looks towards achieving major development within the BIMP-EAGA through air connectivity for the mutual benefit of member states.
Consulate General of Malaysia
Davao City
Philippines
8 May 2012
Consul General Mohammad Azhar Mazlan with the delegates from Malaysia and Indonesia
Consul General Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, Consul General Jose Dela Rosa Burgos of the Consulate General of the Philippines in Manado, Indonesia and Consul General Eko Hartono of Indonesian Consulate in Davao City
Datuk Tengku Zainal Adlin, Sabah Tourism Board as one of the resource speakers at the Forum and the Summit
Dato Capt. Mohd Nawawi bin Awang, Managing Director of MASwings Sdn.Bhd as one of the resouce speakers at the Forum and the Summit
Consul General Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, Mr. Arturo Boncato Jr., Department of Tourism Davao Region Director (gray),Hon. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, Congresswoman, 1st District Saranggani Province (brown) with the delegates at the Forum.
