KUCHING: Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, participated in the 6th Chief Ministers, Governors, and Local Government Forum (CMLGF), held today in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, as part of the 27th BIMP-EAGA Ministerial Meeting 2024. 

Chaired by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister II, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam, the forum also saw participation from regional leaders including Acting Chairman of Bandar Seri Begawan Municipality, Sharinah Awang Suhaimi, Indonesia’s Acting Governor of Gorontalo Province, Dr Ir Mohammad Rudy Salahuddin, and Director of Investment Promotions and Public Affairs from the Mindanao Development Authority, Philippines,Rodrigo Giducos. 

The CMLGF serves as a vital platform for leaders from Sarawak, Sabah, Labuan, and their counterparts from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Brunei Darussalam, to collaborate on regional development within the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

In his address, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah emphasised the pivotal role BIMP-EAGA has played in driving socio-economic progress and solidifying its position in the global economy over the past 30 years. 

He underscored the need for member countries to work together, leveraging each region’s strengths to foster trade, investment, and shared prosperity.

Awang Tengah also proposed the creation of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) at strategic locations, particularly at the Tebedu-Entikong gateway, to boost cross-border trade and resource development between Sarawak and Kalimantan. 

He called on the Asian Development Bank, ASEAN Secretariat, and BIMP-EAGA partners to develop actionable plans for these zones to drive regional growth, especially along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border.

In addition, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah stressed the importance of active private sector involvement, backed by clear government policies, incentives, and transparent processes to achieve the region's development goals.

He will also attend the 27th BIMP-EAGA Ministerial Meeting, chaired by Economy Minister, Rafizi Ramli.-UKASnews