BIMP-EAGA Countries Agree on Priority Infrastructure Projects

Leaders of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines (BIMP) have agreed to start carrying out 12 priority infrastructure projects over the next two years under the BIMP East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) subregional cooperation program.

Transport and power interconnection projects that will help boost trade, investment and tourism in the subregion have been identified, according to a joint statement from the leaders of the four countries. The total cost of the projects is about $1 billion.

Leaders attending the 6th BIMP-EAGA Summit in Hua Hin, Thailand, also endorsed the process of identifying, implementing, and reviewing future subregional projects, and a technical assistance proposal from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to help conduct feasibility studies for priority projects.

Established in 1994, the BIMP-EAGA program is committed to a broad range of initiatives to increase connectivity, boost economic growth and reduce poverty in the subregion. BIMP-EAGA countries are pursuing a road map consisting of projects to improve transport connectivity, power interconnection, tourism promotion, and trade facilitation. The program has a long-term goal of making the subregion the major food producer for Asia, as well as being a premier ecotourism destination.

“We have directed our ministers and officials to determine future priorities and to enhance approaches to cooperation to sustain momentum and to build on the gains achieved so far,” the joint statement said. "Cooperation must now be further intensified in the agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries sectors."

"While steady progress is good, it is time for BIMP-EAGA to shift to a higher gear," ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda said at the summit. "An accelerated agenda of cooperation in infrastructure will be needed if BIMP–EAGA is to effectively address the constraints to creating a more economically integrated subregion."

Leaders commended ADB and other development partners for their support for the bloc’s initiatives, and urged them to continue to assist. Apart from providing financial and technical assistance to the BIMP–EAGA program, ADB serves as regional development advisor for the grouping.

Projects planned for 2010 and 2011 include Sarawak (Malaysia) - Kalimantan (Indonesia) power interconnection, expansion of Mindanao (Philippines) ports program, upgrading of the Kuala Lurah (Brunei Darussalam) border crossing facility and the Pontianak-Entikong road link (Indonesia), rehabilitation of Davao-General Santos Road (Philippines), and construction of a bridge over the Pandaruan river between Brunei and Malaysia.(EOM)