On February 9-12, Bandar Seri Begawan hosted the 2026 Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Strategic Planning Meeting (SPM). In his remarks, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Trade and Industry) at Brunei’s Ministry of Finance and Economy, Yang Mulia Mohammad Harris, underscored the directives set during the 28th BIMP-EAGA Ministerial Meeting, which is to strengthen digital transformation, innovation, connectivity, and supply chains in East ASEAN Growth AREA.
Under the Philippine chairmanship, BIMP-EAGA discussions will focus on project readiness, investment mobilization, and results-driven collaboration. During SPM, Senior Officials from BIMP-EAGA countries, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and BIMP-EAGA Business Councils, gathered to map out BIMP-EAGA’s 2026 initiatives, reviewed ongoing Rolling Pipelines of Projects (RPOPs), and developed implementation plans for convergence projects across BIMP-EAGA clusters and working group to create a more connected East ASEAN.
Under the SPM's Security Working Group, Philippines proposed establishing an Alternative Security Agreement (ASA) to strengthen security across maritime and land transportation corridors. Key priorities for this corridor include harmonizing security measures along BIMP routes, implementing best practices at critical land borders, and adopting lessons from international models to support robust trade among BIMP-EAGA members. Delegations from the four countries also emphasized that expanded connectivity shall not compromise national security.
