In a sense therefore, the EAGA is more about re-establishing trade and cultural ties among its peoples. The EAGA has vast resources available for trade, investments, and tourism. Brunei has a supply of oil and gas estimated to last at least another 20 years. Indonesia is rich oil and gas, agricultural and forestry products and construction materials. In addition, mining is also among Indonesia's strengths, marked by the presence of this industry in all Indonesia-EAGA component areas.
Textile manufacturing is also among the island's top exports of late.
Until the crisis hit in mid-1997, air links in EAGA expanded to 11, from only five before the EAGA initiative. Two more routes connecting Brunei and Palawan, and Kota Kinabalu and Manado have been proposed and are currently being studied by relevant airline companies for their feasibility. Leading to the first quarter of 1997, Royal Brunei Airlines, the national carrier of the sultanate, has likewise registered an average of 23.5 percent growth in outgoing cargo bound for EAGA destinations. EAGA's sea transport industry also has marked developments. A small economic boom between these two cities has grown notable, where with increased shipping had generated more opportunities.