NATIONAL leaders from the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) emphasized the critical importance of regional connectivity as a driver of economic growth and social inclusion across the sub-region during the 16th BIMP-EAGA Leaders Summit held on May 27, 2025, at the KLCC Convention Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
In a joint statement, the BIMP-EAGA leaders—His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, His Excellency Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, His Excellency Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, ASEAN Secretary General, and His Excellency Masato Kanda, President of the Asian Development Bank—welcomed the progress made under the Priority Infrastructure Projects (PIPs). Of the 217 PIPs, 60 projects have been successfully completed, while the rest are in various stages of implementation.
President Marcos Jr., as chairman of this year’s summit, emphasized that to unlock the full potential of the region’s economies, BIMP-EAGA must accelerate the completion of critical inter-island transport and digital infrastructure projects.
“Let us continue to bridge the gaps in mobility, logistics, and broadband access—especially in underserved and remote areas,” Marcos said.
In his report as the Philippine Signing Minister for BIMP-EAGA, Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno cited that the past eight years saw the establishment of several direct air and sea linkages, such as the Kota Kinabalu-Manado air route and the Zamboanga-Sandakan and Tawi-Tawi–Lahad Datu sea links.
“These connectivity initiatives allowed trade linkages to become viable across multiple gateways within the sub-region, enabling local traders and SMEs to actively exchange goods,” Magno added.
He also highlighted large-scale infrastructure achievements across the sub-region, including Brunei Darussalam’s Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Bridge, Indonesia’s Balang Island Bridge, Malaysia’s Pan Borneo Highway, and the Philippines’ Panguil Bay Bridge and Visayas-Mindanao Power Interconnection Project.
The BIMP-EAGA leaders also expressed their full support for the proposed BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035, a strategic blueprint for sub-regional cooperation in the next decade.
“The Philippines stands ready to work hand in hand with all of you to ensure that the next decade of BIMP-EAGA development is even more impactful, more inclusive, and more visionary,” Marcos added.
BIMP-EAGA is a sub-regional cooperation consisting of focus areas within Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, including Mindanao and Palawan for the Philippines. It is a subset of ASEAN, serving as a test bed for region-wide policies and protocols. PR