President Marcos has stressed the need for greater synergy, innovation, and political will within the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) as the subregional grouping enters the next phase of its shared development agenda.
BIMP-EAGA needs greater synergy, political will, Marcos says
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., speaks during the 16th Brunei Darussalam - Indonesia - Malaysia - Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on May 27, 2025. (Mark Balmores/Canon R6 Mark II)
“The path ahead calls for even greater synergy, innovation, and political will. I am confident that through our cooperation, we will continue to transform these aspirations that we have into lasting impacts for our peoples,” Marcos said as he presided over the 16th BIMP-EAGA Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Tuesday, May 27.
The sub-regional group is currently formulating the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035, a forward-looking blueprint that will guide its strategic priorities for the coming decade.
As a vital initiative within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the BIMP-EAGA seeks to accelerate inclusive economic growth and development in less developed and geographically remote areas of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, fostering greater regional integration and prosperity.
Marcos also acknowledged the “quite remarkable progress” achieved over the past eight years since the adoption of the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025.
“Since 2017, our cooperation has deepened, and our partnership has delivered tangible benefits for our peoples,” Marcos said.
The President noted significant advances in joint initiatives in connectivity, trade and investment facilitation, food and energy security, ecotourism, and green development.
“As we convene today, let us take this opportunity to not only celebrate these milestones, but to also reaffirm our shared vision for a more integrated, prosperous, and resilient BIMP-EAGA,” he said.
The cooperation focuses on key areas including trade, investment, and tourism and strategic sectors such as infrastructure development, power interconnection, and socio-cultural and educational exchanges.