KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia played host to the 27th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Ministerial Meeting, a significant gathering aimed at enhancing regional cooperation and driving economic growth among the member countries. The meeting, chaired by Rafizi Ramli, Malaysia’s Minister of Economy, brought together high-ranking officials from Brunei, Indonesia, and the Philippines, along with representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Strengthening Local Governance
The ministerial meeting coincided with the 6th BIMP-EAGA Chief Ministers, Governors, and Local Governments Forum, chaired by Dr. Joachim Gunsalam, the Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah. This forum aimed to bolster cooperation at the local government level, facilitating discussions among representatives from various states and provinces.
During the ministerial meeting, delegates reviewed critical reports from BIMP-EAGA Senior Officials. Discussions centered on essential economic indicators, the progress of projects under the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025, and the status of collaboration with development partners. Notably, the ADB presented an update on the review of BIMP-EAGA economic corridors and highlighted ongoing technical assistance to enhance subregional cooperation.
Legalization of the BIMP Facilitation Centre
A significant agenda item was Malaysia’s proposal to resolve the longstanding issue of legalizing the BIMP Facilitation Centre (BIMP-FC), which has been under discussion since 2008. The proposal includes:
- Increasing staffing levels and allocating operational funding for three years.
- Establishing a joint funding arrangement among member countries, contingent upon the BIMP-FC office remaining in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
This initiative aims to strengthen the operational capacity of the BIMP-FC, enhancing its ability to facilitate cooperation and development across the region.
Joint Statement and Future Outlook
The meeting concluded with a commitment to advancing collaboration in various sectors, with a full Joint Statement detailing the outcomes and initiatives discussed. This gathering reflects Malaysia’s leadership in fostering regional integration and highlights the collective effort of BIMP-EAGA member countries to drive economic growth, enhance connectivity, and promote sustainable development.
As BIMP-EAGA prepares for its future, the focus remains on leveraging existing partnerships and exploring new opportunities to foster innovation and economic resilience within the region.
