Priority sectors earmarked by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines – East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) fits well with Sabah’s strategic direction as outlined in the five-year Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan.
State Asst Finance Minister Jasnih Daya said since its inception in 1994, BIMP-EAGA has evolved to become a strategic platform for member countries to integrate by facilitating freer movement of people, goods, services while increasing investments, promoting joint business opportunities and harmonising a beneficial policy environment.
He said BIMP-EAGA is seen as an important support for future political, social and economic integration of the Asean region.
“In Sabah, our economic development has seen rapid growth and has positively impacted the development of the state. Sabah has much potential in transboundary cooperation of the economic sectors earmarked by BIMP-EAGA. The priority sectors are transport, energy and power interconnection, trade and investment, information, communication, and technology (ICT), agro-industry and fisheries, tourism, environment as well as social-cultural and education.
“While SMJ is focusing on economic growth including areas such as human capital, people’s well-being and green infrastructure. This is proof that we are on the right track through our development agenda and other timely initiatives,” he said when representing Deputy Chief Minister cum Works Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin in officiating the BIMP-EAGA 2022 Exhibition & Conference: The Road To Rise (Resilient, Inclusive, Sustainable & Economically Competitive) at Shang-ri-La Tanjung Aru Resort, Wednesday