□ 文/斯蒂芬妮·圖瑪波斯

“藍色經(jīng)濟”：菲律賓經(jīng)濟發(fā)展的“重頭戲”

□ 文/斯蒂芬妮·圖瑪波斯

菲律賓國家統(tǒng)計局2014年發(fā)布的貧困報告顯示，菲律賓的漁民是全國九大基礎(chǔ)行業(yè)中收入最低的人群。

該報告還指出，菲律賓漁民的貧困率高達39.2%，漁民們靠著平均每天178比索（約合24.5元人民幣）的收入來養(yǎng)家糊口，每天吃的食物也少得可憐。

菲律賓的水產(chǎn)資源和海洋資源豐富，科學(xué)界人士做了大量的研究工作，但對于菲律賓政府來說，想要打造一個既推動經(jīng)濟發(fā)展又讓漁民受惠的“捕魚社區(qū)”，任重而道遠。

據(jù)菲律賓馬尼拉雅典耀大學(xué)管理學(xué)院院長羅納德·門多薩（Ronald Mendoza）博士介紹，據(jù)估計，菲律賓的海洋生態(tài)系統(tǒng)本可以為其國民經(jīng)濟創(chuàng)造0.97～1.5萬億美元（約合6～10萬億人民幣）的年產(chǎn)值，而這還只是保守估計。

既然菲律賓的海洋生態(tài)系統(tǒng)的發(fā)展?jié)摿θ绱司薮螅敲磫栴}來了：菲律賓政府該如何改善漁民們的生活水平，推動經(jīng)濟和環(huán)境的可持續(xù)發(fā)展呢？

藍色經(jīng)濟

金槍魚行業(yè)是菲律賓的重點海洋產(chǎn)業(yè)之一。2003年, 菲律賓成為世界第四大金槍魚、類金槍魚生產(chǎn)國?？墒?，菲律賓漁民的收入還滿足不了他們的生活需求。

自2003年以來，菲律賓金槍魚行業(yè)漸漸淪為“夕陽產(chǎn)業(yè)”。由于金槍魚的捕撈量不斷下滑，菲律賓從事金槍魚行業(yè)的人也越來越少。

“在菲律賓，你會發(fā)現(xiàn)，金槍魚等行業(yè)的產(chǎn)值高達數(shù)十億比索，可是許多相關(guān)從業(yè)人員卻仍屬于貧困人群?！遍T多薩說。門多薩倡導(dǎo)發(fā)展“藍色經(jīng)濟”?！耙獙崿F(xiàn)金槍魚行業(yè)的均衡發(fā)展，我們不能忽視目前的現(xiàn)狀?！痹陂T多薩看來，“藍色經(jīng)濟”是關(guān)于“綠色經(jīng)濟”的一種新概念，與海洋發(fā)展密切相關(guān)。

門多薩說：“漁業(yè)資源是一種特殊的資源。實現(xiàn)漁業(yè)資源的可持續(xù)管理才是我們發(fā)展 ‘藍色經(jīng)濟’的真正目的， 而不只是從中得到收益?！?/p>

菲律賓是世界第二大島嶼國家，其海岸線長度居世界第五位。菲律賓是海洋生物多樣性的中心地帶，覆蓋了“珊瑚礁三角區(qū)”的70%水域，有400多種珊瑚物種和2200多個品種的魚類生活在這一區(qū)域。

聯(lián)合國糧食及農(nóng)業(yè)組織2014年發(fā)布的報告顯示，菲律賓已經(jīng)是世界第十大漁業(yè)發(fā)達國家，但菲律賓的“藍色經(jīng)濟”卻未見起色。

“藍色經(jīng)濟”發(fā)展的“攔路虎”

門多薩說：“目前，菲律賓的海洋經(jīng)濟發(fā)展相當(dāng)緩慢?！焙Ｑ蠼?jīng)濟行業(yè)僅占菲律賓GDP增長目標(biāo)的3%左右，總體就業(yè)率也才略高于4.35%。他認為，造成海洋經(jīng)濟發(fā)展緩慢主要有兩方面的原因。

一是菲律賓政府對海洋經(jīng)濟的投入力度不夠。他建議，菲律賓科學(xué)家們在與政客交流時，不能只講科學(xué)和數(shù)據(jù)，還要運用好經(jīng)濟學(xué)的相關(guān)知識?！耙嬖V政客們，只要我們對海洋經(jīng)濟進行投資，就能創(chuàng)造大量的就業(yè)崗位?！?/p>

二是菲律賓政府尚未采取積極的措施來推動研究成果向發(fā)展規(guī)劃和產(chǎn)業(yè)政策轉(zhuǎn)化。門多薩在接受菲律賓《商業(yè)鏡報》的采訪時表示，盡管菲律賓的海洋技術(shù)先進，但很難把它們轉(zhuǎn)化成為政策和行動，這是制約菲律賓海洋經(jīng)濟發(fā)展的另一個主要原因。

門多薩說：“我們懂得不少，也做了不少研究，甚至有些國家看到我們的研究成果之后還向我們?nèi)〗?jīng)， 最終找到了適合他們自身發(fā)展的途徑。”

“打造海洋經(jīng)濟產(chǎn)業(yè)，離不開我們所取得的研究成果。只要我們能夠把這些研究成果轉(zhuǎn)化成為商業(yè)價值，同時幫助國家提高商業(yè)發(fā)展水平、完善產(chǎn)業(yè)政策，那么我們就能夠補齊短板。”門多薩補充道。

門多薩極力主張：菲律賓科學(xué)家們要在如何把更多的研究成果轉(zhuǎn)化成為國家政策、商業(yè)策略上多下功夫。

菲律賓：未來東南亞“藍色經(jīng)濟”的領(lǐng)頭羊？

通過采用先進的海洋技術(shù)，有些東南亞國家實現(xiàn)了海洋產(chǎn)業(yè)的可持續(xù)發(fā)展?！埃ㄏ啾戎拢┪覀兊暮Ｑ筚Y源利用率并不高?！遍T多薩說?！拔覀兊泥弴恢睂ζ渌鶎俸Ｓ蚝秃Ｑ筚Y源進行重點保護，而且做得很好?！?/p>

在接受《商業(yè)鏡報》采訪的過程中，為了強調(diào)自己的觀點，門多薩向記者展示了兩張照片：第一張照片拍的是一位正在搬運金槍魚的菲律賓小伙子，他的肩上扛著一條重達95公斤的金槍魚，可實際上他的收入少得可憐；第二張照片拍的則是新加坡的螃蟹養(yǎng)殖場，通過采用垂直水產(chǎn)養(yǎng)殖模式，該養(yǎng)殖場的螃蟹每公斤售價高達35美元 （約合237.8元人民幣）。

凡是以海洋技術(shù)支撐自身發(fā)展優(yōu)勢的國家， 都賺了個盆滿缽滿。無人機、垂直水產(chǎn)養(yǎng)殖等技術(shù)均有助于菲律賓實現(xiàn)海洋經(jīng)濟的可持續(xù)發(fā)展。

門多薩建議，菲律賓應(yīng)該把更多精力用在減少捕魚量上，并通過研究給海洋中的魚類留出充足的繁殖和成長時間?！爸灰覀儗W(xué)會運用海洋技術(shù)，就能夠提高工作效率、更好地實現(xiàn)海洋資源的可持續(xù)利用?！遍T多薩說。

門多薩表示，鑒于海洋技術(shù)方面的優(yōu)勢，菲律賓有望成為東南亞“藍色經(jīng)濟”發(fā)展的“領(lǐng)頭羊”。

“珊瑚礁三角區(qū)70%的水域分布在菲律賓，因此我們既不缺空間，也不缺資源。這應(yīng)該成為菲律賓國家發(fā)展規(guī)劃的重點方向?！?/p>

談到創(chuàng)新意識時，門多薩強調(diào)，“我們做的還遠遠不夠?！薄皬母蟪潭壬蟻碚f，創(chuàng)新意識不強影響著我們在發(fā)展‘藍色經(jīng)濟’過程中的整體合作。對此，我們要制定明確的發(fā)展規(guī)劃——不僅僅是6年，而應(yīng)該是50年?！?/p>

談到加強整體合作時， 門多薩表示， “一旦我們錯失良機，我們就會落伍?！?/p>

門多薩指出，菲律賓在“藍色經(jīng)濟”方面的發(fā)展?jié)摿薮?，菲律賓的民眾要清楚自己需要在哪些方面做出努力。

·許志亮 編譯

·來源：菲律賓《商業(yè)鏡報》

Bagan, Myanmar

Businesses in Myanmar generally welcome the Belt and Road Initiative’s (BRI)investment boost for the country’s infrastructure development. Some urged Myanmar to be more proactive in navigating its involvement in the scheme. Many emphasised the importance of transparency,public engagement and adhering to international practices. But some have also expressed reservation and skepticism against China’s ambitious scheme.

Last month, the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation attracted the largest number of foreign dignitaries to the Chinese capital since the 2008 Olympic Games. Launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 as the Belt and Road, the scheme involves China underwriting billion-dollar investments, mainly in infrastructure, in countries along the old Silk Road and new routes, creating an extensive trade network by linking Asia, Europe and Africa. The fi nancial commitment illustrates the ambition:China is spending roughly US$150 billion a year in the 68 countries which have signed on to the project. The China Development Bank alone has earmarked US$ 890 billion for some 900 projects.

The Myanmar Timesinterviewed Jonathan Woetzel, McKinsey senior partner and McKinsey Global Institute director, as well as Bernard Chan,president of Asia Financial Holdings and grandson of Chin Sophonpanich, on how the BRI will play out in Myanmar and the region.

Political analysts and commentators have argued that China is ready to ensure a politically stable environment for its southwestern region, which is a core part of the BRI.

The Myanmar Timesasked businesses from various countries and sectors for their views of the BRI.

Good news for infrastructure but Myanmar should be more proactive

Nick Powell, managing partner of Delta Capital Myanmar and director of Simon Murray & Company (SMC), a pan-Asian investment company, highlighted that projects should be commercially viable and look into precedence in other parts of Asia where those infrastructure projects succeeded.

“China’s BRI is a good opportunity for Myanmar and its infrastructure challenges. China is a leader in fi nancing and building infrastructure across the spectrum.The best way is to make sure these projects stand on purely commercial basis, and that the operators and fi nanciers will be paid back over the agreed term and the assets transferred to Myanmar. There are plenty examples of where it has worked, such as in Asia, ”he said.

Infrastructure is a recurring theme highlighted by many businesspersons,including Khin Maung Win, CEO of Myanmar Shwe Pyi Tractors, who said that Myanmar should be proactive in de fi ning its role in the scheme. He also stressed that public engagement for the projects and transparency were crucial.

“The BRI is complementary to Myanmar’s strategic national interests specifically in trade, energy needs and closing infrastructure gap. Myanmar stands to gain greatly from this initiative and should take the lead in defining its role and purpose in the BRI. Early public engagement is critical as from past experience, commercial gains from such cooperation, albeit smaller scale,were rarely transparent,” he said.

Tomoaki Yabe, managing director of Daizen Myanmar, said that the BRI represented a boost in investments for the country’s infrastructure development.More notably, he also highlighted how, by building on the experience of Thilawa SEZ, BRI-related investments and projects can genuinely benefit the country and its private sector.

Tomoaki Yabe said, “Better infrastructure is vital for a robust logistics sector.Myanmar needs more investments to get the hardware ready. We have worked with Chinese companies and more collaboration, encouraged by the BRI,is definitely good news. Only with the technologies, sufficient investment and a sound framework which aligns with the international standard can Myanmar realise its geographical potential as the regional hub.”

APTOPIX Myanmar Pagoda Festival in Yangon, Myanmar

Thilawa Special Economic Zone is a strong example illustrating how foreign direct investments, foreign technologies and local manpower can create employment opportunities and deliver significant economic growth. If Kyaukpyu and other BRI-led projects can build on the lessons of Thilawa SEZ and offer opportunities inclusive of local and international businesses, Myanmar will certainly bene fi t from the scheme.

Similarly, William Greenlee, managing director of DFDL’s Myanmar of fi ce and also American Chamber of Commerce Myanmar’s legal committee chair, told The Myanmar Times that the financing resulting from the scheme, as long as it was commercially sound and responsible,should be embraced with open arms.

“The BRI is a great opportunity for Myanmar. At this nascent stage of infrastructure development, I would think all financing assistance would be welcome. Organisations like Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank [AIIB]and China Development Bank will be able to provide inexpensive financing to large and expensive projects. This is a huge benefit as, of course, financing such projects is the fi rst big hurdle.And like such fi nancing from other countries,as long as the relevant projects are commercially viable and environmentally and socially responsible, fi nancing from China under this initiative should be welcomed with open arms,” he said.

Others echoed the need for Myanmar to take an active part of the collaboration,instead of being reactionary. Ken Tun, chief executive officer of Parami Energy, said the country should realise its strategic importance in both land and maritime aspect of the BRI and be quick to act.

“Myanmar signed five agreements during the Beijing summit including the Belt and Road framework on cooperation and the issue of border trade. Myanmar plays a strategic role in both the land and maritime part of the BRI,” he said.

According to Ken Tun, it is important that Myanmar should push for proactive policies for BRI collaboration,particularly when other countries have already geared up to bene fi t from being part of the BRI.

Aye Thiha, head of Thiha Group who is also chair of government affairs committee at the American Chamber,said the BRI would unlock Myanmar’s geographical advantage.

“I would very much welcome the BRI as it would unlock the full potential of Myanmar’s ideal geographic location between the economic powerhouses,China and India. Once clearly defined with a specific timeline, the Initiative will also fill up the much needed infrastructure gap and provide Myanmar better connectivity with the rest of the world. In my humble opinion, the risks of such an initiative are overshadowed by the economic bene fi ts,” he said.

Foreign chambers weigh in

When asked about whether the BRI is a valuable opportunity for Myanmar to fill the infrastructure gap, Paul Wilson,president of American Chamber of Commerce Myanmar and managing director of US-owned investment company Four Rivers, said, “As a country with significant development needs, we think it reasonable for Myanmar to explore multiple options of investment and partnerships.”

In terms of the reaction of American businesses in the country, Mr. Wilson was keen to raise the issue of business ethics and labour standards.

The US business community in Myanmar is committed to supporting inclusive economic growth and responsible investment. US companies are proud to bring the highest standards of business ethics and labour standards to emerging markets.

“Our expectation is that these high standards raise the bar for other international businesses and investors,which we believe is positive for the Myanmar government and people,” he said.

Katsuji Nakagawa, chair of Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Myanmar and country head of Sumitomo Corporation Group in Myanmar,conceded that Myanmar had to depend on China for the economy. Japanese businesses will be observing how the dynamics change and will also take into account other factors, such as US policy toward China.

“Under the BRI, Myanmar will rely on China for their economic growth by China’s development assistance.Japanese businesses will continue to carefully observe how China and Myanmar relationship would be strengthened. In addition, we, Japan,think it is necessary to closely watch the future direction and movement of the BRI, including the ramification caused by the possible shift of the US policy toward China and we will need to plot our business strategy properly,” he said.

In contrast, Peter Beynon, chair of British Chamber of Commerce Myanmar, sounded more upbeat and less circumspect, highlighting the necessity for Myanmar to carve out its part in the BRI.

“My thoughts are generally positive as long as Myanmar is able to retain value within its economy.” He said, in the short term, this will mean its ability to negotiate a significant portion of an involvement in the construction of the BRI. In the medium to long term,there will be increased trade volumes,investment and business potential for the country. This should be signi fi cant.

“There is a concern at the impact on communities who will be moved and livelihoods altered, but this is inevitable and people resist change. I am positive,”he said.

· Source:The Myanmar Times

What Do Myanmar's Local, International Businesses Make of the Belt and Road?

By Thompson Chau, Su Phyo Win and Myat Nyein Aye