From left: Abdul Gani Macatoman, Undersecretary, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippines; Yang Mulia Dr. Hajaj May Fa'ezah bent Haji Ahmad Ariffin, Permanent Secretary (Economy), Brunei Darussalam; Dr. Edi Prio Pambudi, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry for Economic Affairs, Indonesia; Dato Ahmad Zamri bin Khairuddin, Director, Regional Development Division, Economic Planning Unit, Prime Ministers Department, Malaysia; Jason Rush, Principal Operations Communications Specialist, Asian Development Bank; Ho Quang Trung, Director, Sectoral Development Directorate, ASEAN Secretariat; and Pengiran Haji Haris bin Haji Duraman, Chairman, BIMP-EAGA Business Council.
BIMP-EAGA is on course to meet its mid-term development targets despite headwinds from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and is pushing with new initiatives to manage the outbreak’s impact as countries prepare for the 24th Ministerial Meeting on 11 October and the 14th Leaders’ Summit on 28 October.
During the 29th BIMP-EAGA Senior Officials Meeting on 5 October held virtually, attendees examined the preliminary results of the mid-term review of the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025. The findings show the grouping’s development blueprint remains relevant and responsive to member countries’ development agenda. The review started early this year to evaluate accomplishments and targets and will be completed in 2022.
The meeting was chaired by Abdul Gani Macatoman, Undersecretary, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippines.
Also present were BIMP-EAGA Senior Officials: Yang Mulia Dr. Hajaj May Fa'ezah bent Haji Ahmad Ariffin, Permanent Secretary (Economy), Brunei Darussalam; Dr. Edi Prio Pambudi, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry for Economic Affairs, Indonesia; Dato Ahmad Zamri bin Khairuddin, Director, Regional Development Division, Economic Planning Unit, Prime Ministers Department, Malaysia; Jason Rush, Principal Operations Communications Specialist, Asian Development Bank; Ho Quang Trung, Director, Sectoral Development Directorate, ASEAN Secretariat; and Pengiran Haji Haris bin Haji Duraman, Chairman, BIMP-EAGA Business Council.
Preliminary findings
According to the mid-term review, BIMP-EAGA’s sector targets are on track, with some sectors exceeding goals, thanks to well-defined project management mechanisms and planning process.
There is also overall consistency and fit in strategy and projects as well as convergence at the strategy level. It also found BIMP-EAGA’s institutional structure and mechanisms broadly effective.
The assessment also found that economic corridor development is a key driver of connectivity.
In the wake of COVID-19, it also revealed the need for initiatives to counter the pandemic’s impacts, and noted the need to adjust BIMP-EAGA’s Clusters and Working Groups to respond to priorities.
New initiatives
The BIMP-EAGA One Borneo Quarantine Initiative is among the new measures the subgrouping initiated this year in the wake of the pandemic. The initiative aims to increase cooperation in monitoring and inspection and enhances protection from pests and diseases.
The members are also exploring travel bubbles or corridors to revive tourism. This so-called “green lane (or zone)” allows the flow of people between safe zones and does not require a 14-day quarantine.
During the meeting, senior officials also heard status reports on BIMP-EAGA’s Priority Infrastructure Projects from the grouping’s Clusters and Working Groups as well as presentations from the BIMP-EAGA Business Council on private sector-led initiatives as well as the Asian Development Bank on its support to member countries.
At their upcoming meeting, BIMP-EAGA ministers are expected to review progress report from senior officials and recommend initiatives for the Leaders' Summit later this month.