President Jokowi: Strengthening BIMP-EAGA Cooperation Key to Economic Recovery

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 28 Oktober 2021
Category: News
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President Jokowi delivers remarks at the 14th BIMP-EAGA Summit, held via videoconference on Thursday (28/10). (Photo by: Presidential Secretariat/ Rusman)

Strengthening the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia- Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) cooperation is the key to economic recovery, according to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

“Efforts to strengthen cooperation are the key to exit the pandemic and recover the economy,” President Jokowi said in his remarks at the 14th BIMP-EAGA Summit, held via videoconference on Thursday (28/10).

The Head of State said that the BIMP-EAGA has so far been making various concrete inter-regional cooperation since its establishment in 1994. It also has made contribution to the subregional economic development by improving competences, connectivity, as well as trade, tourism, and investment sectors.

“However, we’ve been facing great challenges during the pandemic. We have lost about two years of efforts to achieve the targets set in the BIMP-EAGA vision 2025, namely creating a resilient, inclusive, sustainable, and competitive region adopting green industry, agriculture, and tourism,” he said.

Nevertheless, he added, signs that economy in developing countries is gradually recovering have been found in Asia and East Asia regions. He expressed hope that the projection to be materialized.

“The ADB (Asian Development Bank) has projected the economy of developing countries in Asia to grow by 7.1 percent and 3.1 percent for countries in Southeast Asia in 2021. We need to ensure the realization of the projection,” he stated.

The 14th BIMP-EAGA Summit is also expected to give opportunity for country leaders to share their views to realize the BIMP-EAGA vision 2025. The President expressed belief that strengthening concrete cooperation can support the recovery of the economy that has slowed down during the last two years.

“I hope today we can share our views on efforts to materialize the BIMP-EAGA vision 2025 through effective, efficient, productive, and mutually beneficial innovations and cooperation,” he remarked. (PRESIDENTIAL SECRETARIAT/UN) (RAS/MMB)

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