3 days ago
Joint venture to boost BIMP-EAGA green growth and regional trade
Dr Raymond Alfred
KOTA KINABALU (July 27): In a landmark move to strengthen economic integration within the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), BEBC Malaysia, BEBC PEDCO, and the Municipality of Narra in Palawan, Philippines, have announced a strategic joint venture programme covering renewable energy, agri-industrial development, fuel management, maritime trade, and regional tourism.
The collaboration aims to unlock new opportunities for transboundary cooperation and sustainable development, aligning with both countries' commitment to climate resilience, food security and inclusive growth.
Seven key focus areas of the joint venture programme:
1. Renewable Energy Grid Integration – Installation of solar energy systems across all municipal buildings in Narra to promote energy efficiency and green transition.
2. Development of a Renewable Power Plant (2025–2030) – A proposed mid-scale renewable energy facility to meet future energy demand sustainably.
3. Petrol and Diesel Supply Chain Management – Enhancing fuel access and operational logistics for municipal and agricultural use. 4. Fertilizer Trading and Agro-Industrial Support – Supply of affordable, high-quality fertilizers to bolster Narra's farming sector. 5. Floating Market & Ship-to-Ship (STS) Infrastructure – Establishment of a new trading route between Banggi (Sabah) and Buliluyan Port (Palawan) to revive barter trade and small-scale maritime commerce.
6. Food Knowledge Exchange – Collaboration on mushroom cultivation, Halal food production, and value-added agro-processing industries.
7. BIMP-EAGA Eco-Tourism Corridor – Launch of a transboundary tourism package featuring three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Kinabalu Park (Sabah), Gunung Mulu National Park (Sarawak), Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (Palawan).
This initiative will promote new flight connectivity within the BIMP-EAGA region, potentially through emerging regional carriers such as Gallop Air.
The Mayor of Narra has welcomed the joint venture and committed to submitting the proposal to relevant Philippine authorities for further review and endorsement.
'This partnership is timely and crucial for the long-term development of Narra. It opens new doors for economic growth, energy sustainability, and cross-border cooperation,' the Mayor said. On behalf of BEBC Malaysia, its Sabah chairman, Dr Raymond Alfred, will provide the technical papers to potential investors and will engage with relevant Malaysian state and federal agencies to ensure the success of these transboundary programmes. He noted the challenges faced in activating the Kudat–Brooke's Point ferry service and praised the alternative idea proposed by Tan Sri Pandikar Amin, Special Envoy of Sabah to BIMP-EAGA, to operationalize the more feasible Banggi–Buliluyan route.
This joint initiative demonstrates the shared commitment of Malaysia and the Philippines to regional integration, climate-smart development, and the empowerment of local communities in the BIMP-EAGA growth area. It is expected to serve as a replicable model for other border regions seeking to enhance connectivity and mutual prosperity through practical, people-centered cooperation.
