Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Mindanao’s role in regional cooperation and boosting economic partnerships, particularly within the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
This renewed collaboration was highlighted during a series of high-level meetings on May 25–26, 2025, held on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit and the 16th BIMP-EAGA Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
MinDA Chairperson and Philippine Signing Minister for BIMP-EAGA, Secretary Leo Tereso Magno, and BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua met to discuss ways to deepen Mindanao’s integration into the sub-regional framework. Both leaders emphasized the importance of harnessing the region’s economic potential amid improving peace and order, especially in the Bangsamoro region.
“We need to take advantage of the momentum brought by the sustained peace and order in the Bangsamoro region and position it as a key economic player in BIMP-EAGA sub-regional cooperation,” Magno stated.
Echoing this, Chief Minister Macacua underscored BARMM’s growing role in cross-border collaboration. “Our engagement in the 16th BIMP-EAGA Summit provides an opportunity to enhance connectivity between BIMP-EAGA and Mindanao, as well as the broader East ASEAN sub-region,” he said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who chairs this year’s BIMP-EAGA Summit, is expected to underscore economic cooperation gains in key sectors such as agriculture, connectivity, trade facilitation, tourism, and socio-cultural exchanges. He has consistently emphasized the importance of sustained multi-sectoral collaboration to unlock new economic opportunities across Mindanao and the wider BIMP-EAGA area.
Further strengthening these efforts, MinDA and BARMM also held a separate investment-focused meeting with the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) on May 26. The dialogue aimed to foster public-private partnerships and align Mindanao’s investment priorities with Malaysia’s business interests.
“President Marcos has been pushing for PPPs as a key strategy to accelerate economic growth, ensuring that foreign investors find a conducive and competitive business environment in the country,” Secretary Magno said. He also cited the CREATE-MORE Law, which streamlines tax incentives and enhances the country’s competitiveness, especially in sectors like agribusiness and renewable energy—vital industries for Mindanao.
MICCI Executive Director Lee Han Ling expressed Malaysia’s keen interest in exploring investments in Mindanao, particularly in the palm oil and renewable energy sectors. He also committed to organizing a Malaysian business mission to the island.
Chief Minister Macacua welcomed the initiative, pointing to the improving security situation in BARMM and its strong cultural ties with Malaysia. “Malaysia is like a big brother to us, and so I hope that when you consider investing in the Philippines, you go to Mindanao,” he said.
The meeting was also attended by Bangsamoro Board of Investments (BBOI) Chairperson Mohamad Omar Pasigan, BBOI Board of Governor Datu Habib Ambolodto, MinDA Deputy Executive Director Romeo Montenegro, and representatives from MICCI.
These engagements form part of MinDA’s “Building a Better Mindanao” initiative, which seeks to accelerate inclusive growth through regional integration, investment promotion, and enhanced connectivity. With Mindanao’s strategic location in the BIMP-EAGA sub-region, the strengthened cooperation between MinDA, BARMM, and Malaysia is expected to unlock new opportunities and drive sustainable development for the region.