DAVAO CITY – Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan has arrived in the Philippines to lead the state’s delegation at the 28th BIMP-EAGA Ministerial Meeting and the 33rd Senior Officials’ Meeting, taking place in Davao City on 13 and 14 November.
He was welcomed at Davao International Airport by Malaysia’s Consul General in Davao City, Deddy Faisal Ahmad Salleh, ahead of the high-level regional discussions.
The meetings bring together representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, collectively known as the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
The agenda focuses on strengthening cooperation, enhancing connectivity, and advancing the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035, which outlines long-term strategies for inclusive growth and sustainable development across the subregion.
Delegates are expected to review progress on ongoing projects, address challenges in implementation, and set new directions for priority programmes, including trade, tourism, and green energy initiatives.
The meetings coincide with the BIMP-EAGA Trade and Tourism Fair, held in Davao City from 9 to 14 November, showcasing products, innovations, and tourism opportunities from member countries.
Exhibitions highlight halal goods, small and medium enterprise products, and regional tourism destinations, reflecting the bloc’s commitment to economic integration and cultural exchange.
Sarawak’s participation underscores its growing role as a hub for investment and sustainability within the BIMP-EAGA framework.
The state has been positioning itself as a leader in digital transformation, hydrogen energy, and green investment, aligning with ASEAN’s broader goals of resilience and prosperity.
Datuk Amar Awang Tengah, who also serves as Deputy President of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), has long been involved in regional cooperation efforts.
His leadership at the Davao meetings is expected to reinforce Sarawak’s commitment to building lasting partnerships and contributing to shared growth across the subregion.
The BIMP-EAGA initiative, established in 1994, remains a vital platform for fostering collaboration among its member nations.
By hosting this year’s ministerial and senior officials’ meetings, Davao City once again highlights its strategic role in advancing regional integration and economic development.
