Top, from left to right: Brunei Darussalam Permanent Secretary (Economy) at the Ministry of Finance and Economy Dr. Hajah May Fa'ezah Binti Haji Ahmad Ariffin, Indonesia Deputy Minister for International Economic Cooperation at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs Dr. Rizal Affandi Lukman, and Malaysia Director of the Regional Development Division at the Economic Planning Unit at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato’ Ahmad Zamri bin Khairuddin. Bottom, left to right: Philippine Trade and Industry Undersecretary Abdulgani M. Macatoman, BIMP-EAGA Business Council Chairman Pg. Harris Pg. Durahman, and Asian Development Bank Director of the Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division, Southeast Asia Department Alfredo Perdiguero. Photo credit: BIMP-EAGA Facilitation Center
Senior officials from BIMP-EAGA met on 22 April to assess the subregional cooperation program’s implementation pipeline, including its priority infrastructure projects, ahead of an upcoming mid-term review of its economic blueprint, BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025, to evaluate accomplishments and targets. They also agreed to hold the 24th BIMP-EAGA Ministerial Meeting to be chaired by the Philippines later this year and the 14th BIMP-EAGA Summit to be chaired by Indonesia.
The BIMP-EAGA Senior Officials’ Meeting and concurrent plenary Strategic Planning Meeting was held via video conferencing. The meeting was chaired by Dato’ Ahmad Zamri bin Khairuddin, director of the Regional Development Division, Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister’s Office, Malaysia.
The delegations were headed by Brunei Darussalam Ministry of Finance and Economy Permanent Secretary Hajah Dr. May Fa’ezah Haji Ahmad Ariffin, Indonesia Deputy Minister for International Economic Cooperation at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs Dr. Rizal Affandi Lukman, and Philippine Trade and Industry Undersecretary Abdul Gani Macatoman. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) was represented by Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division Director at the Southeast Asia Department Alfredo Perdiguero and the BIMP-EAGA Business Council by Chairman Pengiran Harris Pengiran Durahman from Brunei Darussalam.
The chairs of the Transport, Trade and Investment, Power and Energy Infrastructure, ICT, Agribusiness, Tourism, Environment, and Socio-Cultural and Education Clusters gave virtual presentations on the outcome of their strategic planning meetings. BIMP-EAGA's eight clusters and nine working groups, which are the operating units responsible for translating the sector strategic thrusts into projects, had their mini strategic planning meetings between February and March.
At the Strategic Planning Meeting, officials reviewed the updated rolling pipeline of projects through 2022, the list of updated Priority Infrastructure Projects List, convergence project concept proposals, the revised sector targets, and an analysis of the opportunities and challenges posed by long-term trends that will impact BIMP-EAGA as well as the internal factors affecting results delivery.
At their recent meeting, the senior officials heard how the subregion can use digital technology in implementing projects and initiatives in the new normal, how to invest in green technology and renewable energy, and how to maximize investment opportunities in the agribusiness sector, particularly in strengthening value chains. In addition, there were presentations on how to promote the tourism sector and foster its recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic, support green city initiatives, and bolster small- and medium-sized enterprises.
Senior officials also discussed cooperation with partners, the People’s Republic of China, Northern Territory of Australia, the Republic of Korea, and Japan. As regional development advisor of BIMP-EAGA, ADB presented its initiatives in helping member countries combat COVID-19.
BIMP-EAGA is preparing for a mid-term review of Vision 2025. The preliminary findings of the review will be presented during the 24th BIMP-EAGA Ministerial Meeting. The mid-term review will also assess results delivery and overall relevance as a cooperation program.
The last ministerial meeting was held in November 2019 before the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Ministers noted at that time that BIMP-EAGA topped targets in implementing projects, initiatives, and key deliverables outlined in Vision 2025 with 24 or 33% of projects completed, 5 (7%) nearing completion, and 44 (60%) in various stages of implementation. As of November 2019, the subregion had a rolling pipeline of 72 priority projects valued at $23.27 billion.