BIMP-EAGA
The Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) is a sub-regional cooperation initiative launched in 1994 to narrow the development gap and generate balanced and inclusive growth by promoting trade, investment, and tourism among the four countries.
Covering a combined population of over 80 million people and spanning approximately 1.6 million square kilometers, BIMP-EAGA represents one of Southeast Asia's most dynamic growth corridors, rich in natural resources and biodiversity.
Scope
- Brunei Darussalam: Entire Sultanate
- Indonesia: Provinces of Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, and West Papua
- Malaysia: States of Sabah, Sarawak, and Federal Territory of Labuan
- Philippines: Island of Mindanao, Province of Palawan
Regional Context
Environment
The BIMP-EAGA region, with 60% of the world's tropical coastline and coral reefs, is a treasure trove of marine life and an iconic region of biodiversity with world-class rainforests.
Borneo
Borneo is the world's third-largest island, comprising the territories of three countries – Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia – and is home to the world's third largest rainforest, along with the Amazon in South America and the Congo Basin in Africa.
Sulu-Sulawesi
The Sulu-Sulawesi Sea, or Coral Triangle, has one of the highest concentrations of marine biodiversity in the world.
Economic Corridors
The main economic corridors within BIMP-EAGA are the West Borneo Economic Corridor and the Greater Sulu-Sulawesi Economic Corridor.
The West Borneo Economic Corridor
The West Borneo Economic Corridor is BIMP-EAGA's oil and gas corridor that encompasses Brunei, West Kalimantan of Indonesia, and Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia. As a major export region for crude oil and natural gas of BIMP-EAGA, it has a well-established transport infrastructure and linkages from Pontianak in West Kalimantan to Kuching, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.
The Greater Sulu-Sulawesi Economic Corridor
The Greater Sulu-Sulawesi Economic Corridor is a maritime corridor that covers the regions of North Sulawesi of Indonesia, Sabah of Malaysia, and the island of Mindanao of the Philippines. It is located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, the center of the world's highest concentration of marine biodiversity.
Strategic Importance
BIMP-EAGA serves as a critical platform for addressing shared development challenges and opportunities, contributing to ASEAN's broader integration goals while maintaining focus on inclusive and sustainable growth in the sub-region's historically underserved areas.