Cebu city: Leaders of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) have approved a new 10-year roadmap aiming to accelerate economic growth, connectivity, and development in underserved areas across the subregion, including Mindanao and Palawan.
According to Philippines News Agency, at a press conference on the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Cebu City, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chairperson Secretary Leo Tereso Magno reported on the BIMP-EAGA Special Summit. Magno stated that the approval of the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035 marked a significant moment for the four EAGA countries.
The roadmap, known as BEV 2035, was designed to ensure that underserved areas within the four countries, particularly the Sultanate of Brunei, Mindanao, Palawan, areas in Indonesia, and Malaysia, receive focused development. Magno noted that the new roadmap builds on the gains of BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025 while setting new development targets until 2035.
To realize this vision, the four countries agreed on four strategic priorities: climate-smart agro-industry and fisheries, seamless travel and sustainable tourism, stronger production networks, and the development of an agile, future-ready workforce. Infrastructure development remains a central focus, with the number of priority infrastructure projects increasing from 57 in 2015 to 265 this year, amounting to an estimated USD174.6 billion.
During the Special BIMP-EAGA Summit, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized the need for stronger regional cooperation and a more people-centered approach. He highlighted that development should produce visible and lasting benefits for communities rather than remain limited to economic targets.
President Marcos stated in his opening remarks that the vision is not merely a roadmap for economic integration but a promise of meaningful and sustainable development that impacts daily lives. He stressed that ongoing regional programs have already generated livelihoods, improved connectivity, and expanded economic opportunities across member countries, but the true value lies in uplifting local communities.
President Marcos also advocated for the greater use of public-private partnerships (PPPs) to develop underserved areas, particularly in the Philippines and the BIMP-EAGA area. Member countries agreed to align BIMP-EAGA initiatives with ASEAN priorities while strengthening cooperation with development partners, including China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the European Union.
Magno expressed hope for scaling up partnerships with these development partners to bring about change in areas needing development. By 2035, the target is for BIMP-EAGA's contribution to be at least 12 percent of the total ASEAN economy.
