6th Indonesia Malaysia Thailand-Growth Triangle Summit and

8 Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area Summit

th

4 April 2012
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
I.

Background

1.
The Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) and the Brunei
Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) are
subregional and subnational cooperation initiatives which were launched in 1993 and 1994,
respectively, by the concerned governments. Geographically, the BIMP-EAGA covers the entire
sultanate of Brunei; the provinces of Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku and West Papua of
Indonesia; the states of Sabah and Sarawak and the federal territory of Labuan in Malaysia; and
Mindanao region and the province of Palawan in the Philippines. The IMT-GT includes 32
provinces and states 14 provinces in southern Thailand, 8 northern states of Peninsular
Malaysia, and 10 provinces in the entire island of Sumatra in Indonesia.
2.
Both programs aim to help address the socioeconomic development needs of the less
developed and disadvantaged areas of their member countries through growth-inducing
activities by facilitating trade, tourism, and investment within their subregions, backed by their
respective strategies to mobilize the private sector as the engine of growth. Despite their
common thrusts, the two programs differ slightly in their focus and approach to cooperation
given their inherent differences. The IMT-GT is a natural bloc given the many
complementarities, geographical proximity, and close historical, cultural and linguistic ties
between the member states and provinces. The BIMP-EAGA is linked by a long history of
archipelagic trade and less formal economic relations.
3.
In BIMP-EAGA, the strategic focus of the program, centered on two economic corridors,1
is on enhancing connectivity within BIMP-EAGA as well as with other regions outside of BIMPEAGA, establishing BIMP-EAGA as a food basket for ASEAN and the rest of Asia, promoting
BIMP-EAGA as a premier regional tourism destination, and ensuring the sustainable
management of the environment. In IMT-GT, the strategic thrusts of infrastructure and transport;
trade and investment; agriculture, agro-based industry and environment; halal products and
services; tourism; and human resources development, are being implemented across five
economic corridors.2 While the development of economic corridors was commonly adopted by
the two programs, BIMP-EAGAs designated corridors are more geographic-type expanses
based on cardinal points/directions compared to the more specific grouping of routes for the
IMT-GT designated corridors.
4.
ADB has been the Regional Development Advisor for BIMP-EAGA since 2001 and the
Development Partner of IMTGT since 2006. ADB has been supporting these subregional
1
2

Two priority economic corridors have been designated, namely, the Western Borneo Economic Corridor (WBEC)
and the Greater Sulu Sulawesi Corridor (GSSC).
IMT-GT has identified five economic corridors, namely: (i) Extended Songkhla-Penang-Medan Corridor (Nakhon Si
Thammarat Phatthalung Songkhla Yala Pattani Penang Medan); (ii) Straits of Malacca Corridor
(covering the western coastal belt from Trang in Southern Thailand to Melaka in Peninsular Malaysia); (iii) Banda
Aceh-Medan-Pekanbaru-Palembang Economic Corridor (a road corridor running south to north through Sumatra);
(iv) Melaka-Dumai Economic Corridor (a maritime corridor linking Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia); and (v)
Ranong-Phuket-Aceh Economic Corridor.

2
groupings through regional technical assistance (RETAs), providing them with strategic, policy
and technical advice and institutional strengthening support.
5.
In the aftermath of the global economic crisis of 2008-09, the Leaders of both
subregional groupings called for an acceleration in the preparation and implementation of
infrastructure connectivity in the respective subregions. With the assistance of the ADB, a set of
priority connectivity projects (PCPs) in the case of IMT-GT and priority infrastructure projects
(PIPs) in the case of BIMP-EAGA, have been identified.
6.
With the expiration of the BIMP-EAGA Roadmap for Development in 2010 and the IMTGT Roadmap for Development in 2011, 3 and assessments indicating that their respective
strategic thrusts remained appropriate but project implementation remained slow, each
subregional grouping decided that their successor guiding document should be in the form of an
implementation blueprint to emphasize the need for improved implementation of still valid
strategies. The endorsement of the respective Implementation Blueprints (IBs), 2012-2016,
which were prepared with the assistance of the ADB, at the 6th IMT-GT and 8th BIMP-EAGA
Summits held on 4 April 2012 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, signaled another gear shift of the two
programs. The overarching objective of the IBs is to focus on the implementation of already
identified projects and activities in both hardware and software for more effective results
delivery. The initial two-year rolling pipelines (2012-2013) of the IBs also include some of the
PCPs/PIPs to accelerate development of the connectivity corridors. In parallel with the
preparation of the IBs, ADB also facilitated the conduct of the reviews of the programs
respective institutional mechanisms, outcomes of which have been incorporated in the relevant
IBs. The associated changes in institutional structure and operational processes in the IBs are
expected to improve sustainable project development and actual implementation.
7.
The Leaders' Summit is held annually in tandem with the ASEAN Summit in April/May.
The Summit provides a venue for IMT-GT and BIMP-EAGA Leaders to take stock of key
developments in their subregional cooperation programs over the past year, and to provide
guidance on future strategic directions. The Summit is participated in by Heads of
States/Governments of the member countries, the Secretary General of the ASEAN Secretariat,
and the ADB President.
II.

Highlights of the Summits

A.

6th Summit of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT)

Cooperation Program

8.
The 6th IMT-GT Summit was held on 4 April 2012 at the Peace Palace, Phnom Penh,
Kingdom of Cambodia. The Summit was chaired by the Vice President of the Republic of
Indonesia, H. E. Prof. Dr. Boediono. The Malaysian delegation was led by the Prime Minister of
Malaysia, H. E. Dato Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, and the Thai delegation was led by the
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, H.E. Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra. The Summit was also
attended by the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, and the President of the
Asian Development Bank, Mr. Haruhiko Kuroda.
9.
The IMT-GT Leaders welcomed the progress of IMT-GT cooperation in 2010/2011 as
reported by H.E Mr. Gita Wirjawan, Minister of Trade, Republic of Indonesia. This progress
3

Available at http://adb.org/sites/default/files/BIMP-EAGA-Roadmap-Development-2006-2010_0.pdf and

http://www.imtgt.org/Documents/Books/roadmap-development.pdf respectively.

3
includes, among others, key IMT-GT PCPs such as (i) the CIQS Facility at Bukit Kayu Hitam
border-crossing, where both Thailand and Malaysia are upgrading the border facilities to relieve
capacity constraints, and enhance trade facilitation measures to reduce time and cost of bordercrossings; and (ii) the feasibility study for the Hat Yai - Sadao Express Motorway, which would
ease existing traffic congestion and enable the development of this economic corridor with
northern Malaysia, including through the development in the border economic zones on both
sides of the border. Enhancement of air connectivity in the subregion was also reported with the
new Melaka-Medan route of Melaka Air, and the upcoming new route of Ipoh-Medan. IMT-GT
member countries are also in the process of expediting the ratification and implementation of the
various ASEAN Transport Facilitation Agreements to further facilitate the connectivity in the
subregion. Progress in the software aspect of the infrastructure connectivity was also reported,
such as the development of the Framework on Cooperation on Customs, Immigration and
Quarantine (CIQ), and also the start of the compilation of the subregional Trade, Investment and
Tourism Database. Minister Gita also reported a number of planned activities in the areas of
agriculture, tourism and human resources, such as the IMT-GT and BIMP-EAGA High-Value
Agriculture Conference and Expo, to be organized in Melaka, Malaysia in 2012; harmonization,
accreditation and standardization of human resources in selected professions; and the creation
of a network on animal production and biotechnology.
10.
The Leaders also adopted the IMT-GT Implementation Blueprint (IB) 2012-2016 as the
successor of the IMT-GT Roadmap for Development, which concluded at end-2011.4 The IMTGT IB 2012-2016 will serve as the strategic guiding document, comprising 42 projects and
activities, including the PCPs, and 25 to be implemented during the initial two-year rolling
pipeline of the IB for the period 2012-2013.
11.

In their dialogue, the Leaders highlighted the following four issues:

(i) The importance of the subregional cooperation as an effective instrument to achieve
more resilient economies to future economic shocks. It is also important that the IMTGT program include activities that would benefit most people in the subregion,
leading to growth, prosperity and better mutual understanding among and between
the IMT-GT people. The IB, which focuses on implementation, is expected to enable
acceleration and concrete implementation of the IMT-GT program;
(ii) The role of IMT-GT as a building block toward the establishment of ASEAN
Economic Community (AEC), and therefore the need for the IMT-GT and ASEAN to
align their activities to achieve maximum benefits with optimum resource
mobilization. IMT-GT should also act as a test-bed for ASEAN agreements that have
yet to be implemented. For this purpose, the Leaders tasked the ASEAN Secretariat
to play an active role in facilitating the flow of financial and technical assistance
resources from ASEAN to the relevant IMT-GT projects that serve as building blocks
of ASEAN economic integration and high-profile the funding and technical
requirements of IMT-GT projects at the ASEAN level;
(iii) The importance to strengthen the subregional secretariat, the Centre for IMT-GT
Subregional Cooperation (CIMT), to help ensure the successful implementation of IB
2012-2016. Indonesia and Malaysia are both ready to sign the relevant agreement to

The IMT-GT Implementation Blueprint,

GT_Implementation_Blueprint_2012-2016.pdf

2012-16

is

available

at

http://imtgt.org/Documents/IMT-

4
legally establish CIMT, and Thailand reiterated its support for the establishment of
CIMT and indicated that it will expedite the completion of the required domestic
procedures for the signing of the establishment agreement. Upon its legalization, the
Leaders tasked the Ministers to commence the strengthening of CIMT and requested
ADB to extend its support in the process; and
(iv) Their appreciation of ADBs strategic policy advice and practical technical assistance
extended to IMT-GT that has enabled the IMT to progress in its cooperation,
particularly in the preparation of the IB 2012-2016; promoting links between ASEAN,
BIMP-EAGA, GMS and IMT-GT; the compilation of the initial IMT-GT Trade,
Investment and Tourism database; and the development of the Framework
Cooperation of IMT-GT Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Agencies. The
Leaders requested ADB to continue providing strategic, technical, and operational
advice and support to the subregional grouping, including in strengthening the CIMT,
and tasked the Senior Officials and relevant Working Groups to work closely with
ADB on these initiatives through close and regular dialogue and other appropriate
measures.
12.
The ASEAN Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to attend
the 6th IMT-GT Summit, and commended the Leaders for tasking the Ministers to facilitate the
alignment of IMT-GT with the ASEAN framework. In this connection, he expressed the hope that
non-IMT-GT ASEAN member states would acknowledge the value added of IMT-GT projects
and activities as building blocks for ASEAN objectives, including the recently endorsed ASEAN
Framework for Equitable Economic Development. He also enjoined ADB to play its role in
catalyzing private sector funding and promoting the use of the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
to help finance priority subregional connectivity projects.
13.
President Kuroda expressed his appreciation for the continued trust placed in ADB as a
development partner. He noted that despite the challenges brought about by the global
economic crisis, steady progress has been made in the various sectors of cooperation. This
reflected the IMT-GTs commitment to narrowing the development divide. President Kuroda also
noted that this year marks a new phase in IMT-GT cooperation, where the IB, 2012-16 will guide
the cooperation in the next five years to deliver more results-based performance, as directed by
the last IMT-GT Summit. ADB, under the guidance IMT-GT officials, was privileged to have
helped prepare the IB. Noting that implementation of some of IMT-GTs PCPs has begun,
President Kuroda stated that the IB had made a very good start. President Kuroda highlighted
the establishment of the AIF, which was structured to pool public and private resources and will
serve as an innovative vehicle to energize infrastructure finance. President Kuroda emphasized
that as a shareholder in the AIF as well as its Administrator, ADB is committed to ensure the AIF
delivers its full potential over time, and hoped that member countries will consider the AIF as a
possible funding source for IMT-GT infrastructure projects.
14.

The Joint Statement of the IMT-GT Leaders is in Appendix 1.

5
B.

8th Summit of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East

ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Cooperation Program

15.
The 8th BIMP-EAGA Summit was held on 4 April 2012, at the Peace Palace, Phnom
Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia. Chaired by His Majesty the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei
Darussalam, the 8th BIMP-EAGA Summit was also attended by the Vice President of the
Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Prof. Dr. Boediono, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, H.E. Dato' Sri
Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, and the President of the Philippines, H.E. Benigno C. Aquino
III. The Summit was also attended by the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, and
the President of Asian Development Bank, Mr. Haruhiko Kuroda.
16.
The Leaders reiterated the role of BIMP-EAGA in complementing ASEAN initiatives
towards an ASEAN Community 2015. The Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to BIMP-EAGA
with a strong stance in taking forward the programs strategies backed by a solid pipeline of
projects and strengthened institutional structure and operational processes. BIMP-EAGA will
pursue a four-pronged strategic program in the next few years which covers enhancing
connectivity, promoting BIMP-EAGA as the regional food basket of the region, promoting BIMPEAGA as a premier tourism destination, and ensuring sustainable development and
management of natural resources. These strategic objectives are embodied in the BIMP-EAGA
Implementation Blueprint (IB), 2012-16, prepared with the assistance of the ADB and
endorsement of which was the main deliverable of the BIMP-EAGA Summit.5
17.
The Leaders lauded the programs progress since the 7th Summit in 2011 in Jakarta, as
reported by Bruneis Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II, H.E. Pehin Lim Jock Seng. This
included: (i) progress in processing some of the PIPs; (ii) further enhancements in the transportfacilitating Memorandum of Understanding; (iii) facilitation of private sector needs in the airline
industry leading to inaugural or additional flights in the subregion; (iv) facilitation of a private
sector-led ICT pilot project for a tracking system for cross-border movement of goods; (v)
initiation of implementation of the community-based ecotourism sites; and (vi) further
collaborative discussions with development partners.
18.
Notable outcomes of the Summit include: (i) forging stronger BIMP-EAGA and ASEAN
links through the connectivity drive; (ii) pursuing an implementation-focused cooperation through
the newly-endorsed IB; (iii) harnessing skills and resources through a revitalized institutional
structure and efficiency-driven operational mechanisms, including strengthening of the
programs regional secretariat, the BIMP-EAGA Facilitation Center (BIMP-FC), through ADBs
assistance; (iv) mobilizing and leveraging resources through stronger cooperation with partners,
including a possible new technical assistance from the ADB; (v) strengthening the food basket
strategy through further dialogue and knowledge-sharing; (vi) greater facilitation to address
private sector
concerns for an expanded private sector-led programs; (vii) pursuing
environmental sustainability measures not just as a crosscutting issue, but as a core strategic
need through further development of concrete programs to support this strategy; and (viii)
addressing the wider tourism-related needs as pilot site implementation of ecotourism-based
programs progresses.
19.
The ASEAN Secretary General noted his appreciation for the opportunity to attend the
8th BIMP-EAGA Summit. As he had in the earlier 6th IMT-GT Summit, the ASEAN Secretary
General expressed the hope that non-BIMP-EAGA ASEAN member states would acknowledge
5

The BIMP-EAGA Implementation Blueprint, 2012-16 is available at http://bimp-eaga.org.

6
the value added of BIMP-EAGA projects and activities as building blocks and test-beds for
ASEAN objectives, including the recently endorsed ASEAN Framework for Equitable Economic
Development, and he urged ADB to play its role in catalyzing funding, including through the AIF.
20.
In his remarks, President Kuroda acknowledged the strong message of the Leaders to
end customary ways of doing things and give way to new modalities, and to strengthen
capacities and emphasize greater accountability to achieve meaningful development impact. He
shared the Leaders view that the IBs well-defined strategic pillars and emphasis on more
rigorous discipline in project-preparedness, financing, and results, augur well for improved
implementation performance. Encouraged by Governments efforts to advance the PIPs,
President Kuroda was pleased to report on ADBs contribution in the connectivity projects of
BIMP-EAGA with the (i) approval of a loan to Indonesia in 2011 on regional roads development,
which includes road sections to improve connectivity in its border areas towards Malaysia; (ii)
advanced processing of energy projects involving Indonesia and Malaysia; and (iii) continued
assistance in strengthening customs, immigration, quarantine and security. President Kuroda
highlighted BIMP-EAGAs role in building an ASEAN Community by 2015, and commended
ASEANs resolve to address its infrastructure deficit through its own AIF, an innovative financing
mechanism, which he hoped would be considered by BIMP-EAGA member countries to help
finance their infrastructure needs.
21.

The Joint Statement of the BIMP-EAGA Leaders is in Appendix 2.

III.

Conclusion

22.
The following common themes and messages emerged from the two summits: (i) both
subregional programs have reached a crossroad with their respective new strategic cum actionplan guiding document to strengthen their credibility and enhance their sustainability; (ii) project
momentum is on the upswing; (iii) institutional structures and processes at both subregional and
country levels are being strengthened to improve results delivery; (iv) hardware connectivity
development is being reinforced by critical complementary software initiatives; (v) pathfinder
approaches to specific initiatives are being encouraged, including through greater involvement
of the private sector; and (vi) support to the ASEAN community building process will continue
and be better synergized.
23.
With ASEAN in the center stage of a rising Asian economy in the backdrop of crisisafflicted economies of Europe and the United States, the achievement of the AEC is gaining
wider attention. Bite-sized building-block progress at both national level and through the
subregional groupings are considered important instruments to help fulfill the ASEAN aspiration
of a single community. Developments resulting from pilot or test-bed schemes of ASEAN
agreements by a subset of ASEAN member states are also viewed as useful contributions to
ASEAN community-building.
24.
With resurgent BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT programs, their complementary role in
achieving the ASEAN integration has been brought to the fore, especially when they were
featured as key subregional initiatives that form part of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity
(MPAC). Both the 8th BIMP-EAGA Summit and the 6th IMT-GT Summit are considered an
affirmation of this critical role and serve as a call to further action towards more visible results
for the two subregional cooperation programs in particular, and for ASEAN in general.

Appendix 1

The 6th Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth-Triangle

Summit

JOINT STATEMENT

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

4 April 2012

Appendix 1

JOINTSTATEMENT
THE6 SUMMITOFINDONESIAMALAYSIATHAILANDGROWTHTRIANGLE(IMTGT)
PEACEPALACE,PHNOMPENH,CAMBODIA
TH

4APRIL2012
1.
We, the leaders of the Governments of the Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the
KingdomofThailand,mettodayinPhnomPenh,theKingdomofCambodia,ontheoccasionofthe6th
IndonesiaMalaysiaThailand GrowthTriangle (IMTGT) Summit to review the progress of cooperation
and provide further direction in pursuit of our shared vision of a seamless, progressive, prosperous and
peaceful subregion with improved quality of life. We believe that an accelerated pace of subregional
integration in the IMTGT will contribute to achieving our common aspiration for an ASEAN Economic
Community by 2015 and the realization of ASEAN as a region of equitable economic development as
envisaged by the 18th ASEAN Summit in May 2011, Jakarta, Indonesia. We therefore reaffirmed our
commitmenttopursueregionalcooperationwithevenstrongerresolution toenhancethesubregions
competitiveness, narrow development gaps within and among our countries, and uplift our peoples
frompoverty.
2.
WeexpressedourappreciationtoourMinistersandSeniorOfficialsandotherstakeholders
ontheprogressmadeinthepreparationandimplementationofprojectsandactivitiesin2011.We
notedtheimportanceofdeepeningtheinvolvementoftheIMTGTstatesandprovinces,including
through the identification, preparation, and implementation of projects and activities consistent
with national development priorities, to help narrow development gaps within and among the
member countries of the subregion. We commended the efforts of the IMTGT Joint Business
Council in bringing about greater awareness on the potentials in IMTGT and urged them to
redouble their efforts to expand their membership and promote businessoriented and joint
ventureprojects.
3.
We adopted the IMTGT Implementation Blueprint (20122016) as the strategic guiding
document following the conclusion of the IMTGT Roadmap to Development (20072011). The
Implementation Blueprint comprises a range of projects, including priority connectivity projects,
andactivitiesdesignedtoimplementthestrategicthrustsofthesubregionalgroupingoverthenext
five years in infrastructure and transport, trade and investment, agriculture, agrobased industry
and environment, halal products and services, tourism, and human resources development, along
and around the five designated economic corridors. To help ensure concrete results, the
ImplementationBlueprintcomprisesarollingpipelineofprojectsandactivitieswhicharereadyto
startimplementationwithinatwoyearperiod.Theinitialtwoyearrollingpipeline,whichwillcover
the period 20122013, includes 25 projects and activities, with an emphasis on improving physical
connectivityandfacilitatingthemovementofgoodsandpeoplewithinthesubregion.Thetwoyear
rolling pipeline would be updated annually. The Implementation Blueprint also reflects a revised
institutional structure and enhanced operational mechanisms to enable sustainable project
development from 2012 onward. In that connection, we mandated closer involvement of all the
relevantlineMinistriesandagencies,including,whererelevant,inIMTGTMinisterialMeetings,to
ensuremoreeffectivecrosssectoralcoordinationandacceleratedimplementation.
4.
We acknowledged that IMTGT cooperation aimed at physically integrating the subregion
involves close collaboration among the three countries in the spatial planning of infrastructure

Appendix 1

connectivity,improvingtransportfacilitation,andpromotingairservicesandfacilitiesaswellassea
linkagesthroughportsandroroservices.Wethereforewerepleasedtonotethecommencement
of priority connectivity projects under the initial twoyear rolling pipeline of the Implementation
Blueprint. These include the CIQS Facility at SadaoBukit Kayu Hitam bordercrossing, where both
Thailand and Malaysia are upgrading the border facilities to relieve capacity constraints, and
enhancetradefacilitationmeasurestoreducetimeandcostofbordercrossings;andthefeasibility study
for the Hat Yai Sadao Intercity Motorway, to be completed in early 2013, which would ease existing
traffic congestion and enable the development of this economic corridor with northern Malaysia,
including through the development in the border economic zones on both sides of the border. We
welcomed Thailand and Malaysia initiative to create greater linkages through a new bridgelinkingat
Tak Bai, Narathiwat Pengkalan Kubor, Kelantan and the second bridge at Sungai Golok, Narathiwat
Rantau Panjang, Kelantan with integrated border economic activities including border economic zones.
Wealsowelcomed theambitiousplanof theIndonesian Government to developtheSumatracorridor
under the Masterplan on Acceleration and Expansion of Economic Development, which will over time
havebeneficialspillovereffectsfortheconnectivityofthesubregion.
5.
.We were also pleased to note the enhanced air connectivity in the subregion with the new
MelakaMedanrouteofMelakaAir,andthenewrouteofIpohMedanbyFirefly.Withtheentryinto
force of the ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on the Full Liberalisation of Passenger Air Services
(MAFLPAS)anditstwoProtocolssignedon12November2010inBruneiDarussalam,weencouraged
furtherprivatepubliccooperationtomaximisethepotentialofairlinkagesinthesubregiontoenhance
trade,investmentandtourism.Tofacilitatefurthertheconnectivityinthesubregion,wealsocalledfor
allIMTGTCountriestoexpeditetheratificationandimplementationofthevariousASEANTransport
Agreements.
6.
Wereiteratedthesignificanceofputtingequalemphasisonsoftwareaspectsofinfrastructure
connectivity,consistentwithASEANrelatedinitiatives.WethereforetaskedtheCustoms,Immigration
andQuarantine(CIQ)TaskForcetoexpeditethefinalizationoftheIMTGTCooperationFramework,as
wellasitsimplementationactionplan,toreducethetimeandcostofbordercrossingproceduresand
facilitate trade development in this subregion. We commended the IMTGT Trade, Investment and
Tourism Database (ITITD) Task Force in the completion of an initial database on relevant socio
economic, trade, investment, and tourism data at both national and state/provincial levels. We
requestedADBtocontinueitsassistanceinenhancingthedatabaseandensuringitssustainabilityto
enableclosemonitoringandeffectiveimpactassessmentsoftheIMTGTcooperationprogramme.
7.
Wereaffirmedourcommitmenttoimprovefoodsecurityinthesubregionandarepleasedto
notetheadvancedpreparationsforthejointIMTGTandBIMPEAGAHighValueAgricultureBusiness
Conference and Expo with the theme Promoting HighValue Agriculture through PublicPrivate
SubregionalPartnerships,whichwillbeorganizedinMelaka,Malaysiain2012.WeencouragedallIMT
GT stakeholders to maximise this opportunity to share experiences and expertise in innovations and
good practices of multipronged approaches to achieving quality and sustainable food production,
takingadvantageoftechnologyadvances.Weexpressedourhopethatthiseventwillresultinhigher
intra and interregional trade and investment among business players in food items, and thereby
enhancefoodsecurityforallinthesubregion.
8.
We reaffirmed our shared vision of an ASEAN Community of enduring peace, stability and
sharedprosperityinthesubregion.AsmembersofASEAN,ourIMTGTcooperationprogrammeshall
always seek convergence with those of ASEANs goals, including the Master Plan on ASEAN

10

Appendix 1

Connectivity (MPAC), and be consistent with the ASEAN Charter to which our Governments have
subscribed.WeviewtheIMTGTsubregionasbothatestbedandakeybuildingbloctowardrealizing
the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015 as reiterated during the ASEAN Connectivity
SymposiuminNusadua,Baliin2011.WelookforwardtoseeingmorejointinitiativesbetweenIMTGT
and ASEAN and financing of some IMTGTs priority connectivity projects from the ASEAN
Infrastructure Fund (AIF). We will continue to work with the ASEAN Secretariat to ensure that our
activitiesarecomplementaryandmutuallyreinforcing.
9.
We acknowledged our growing and deepening relationship with the ADB, our Regional
DevelopmentAdvisorforIMTGTsubregionalcooperation.Weappreciatedthestrategicpolicyadvice
andpracticaltechnicalassistanceextendedtoIMTGTthatenabledustoprogressinourcooperation,
particularly in the preparation of the Implementation Blueprint 20122016,Promoting Links between
ASEAN,BIMPEAGA,GMSandIMTGT,thecompilationoftheinitialIMTGTTrade,Investmentand
Tourism database; and the development of the Framework Cooperation of IMTGT Customs,
Immigration and Quarantine Agencies. We requested ADB to continue providing strategic, technical,
andoperationaladviceandsupporttothesubregionalgrouping,includinginstrengtheningtheCentre
for IMTGT Subregional Cooperation (CIMT). We tasked our Senior Officials and relevant working
groups to work closely with ADB on these initiatives through dialogues and other appropriate
measures.
10.
WecommendedtheinitiationofaresearchprojectonAsianPotentialofBiofuelMarketsasa
followupoftheSymposiumonEnergySavingandBiodieselUtilizationheldsuccessfullyinSeptember
2010inSongkhla,Thailand.Asaoutcomeofthesymposium,throughcooperationwithmembersfrom
IMTGTcountries,wearelookingforwardtomaterializedevelopmentofsuitabledesigntonurtureand
deploy healthy biofuels market in the subregion. We expressed appreciation to Economic Research
InstituteforASEANandEastAsia(ERIA)forthesupportonthisinitiativeandexpressedhopeforERIA
to continuously provide support to the subregional activities through its expertise towards a
prosperoussubregionwithclosecooperationwithIMTGTsecretariat.
11.
We tasked our Ministers to monitor the progress in cooperation with the Government of
Japan, the IMTGT development partner in creating joint activities in potential areas. We also
expressedourinteresttoexpandourrelationstootherpotentialdevelopmentpartners,especiallyin
SouthAsiaandthePacificinordertoreachgreateropportunitiesinreachingregionaltransportation
andlogisticsnetworkandpotentialmarketsforIMTGTproducts,exchangingofexpertiseinpotential
areas such as alternative energy, tourism, halal science and technology, food security and human
resourcedevelopment.
12.
WiththelaunchingoftheImplementationBlueprint,wetaskedtheMinisterstoexploreways
tofurtherstrengthenCIMTtoenhanceitsimportantroleinfacilitatingvariousconsultationprocesses
amongtheIMTGTstakeholders.These,amongothers,includeimprovingtheinstitutionalframework
for the private sector activities, effectively evaluating and monitoring projects, encouraging the
establishmentofcloserrelationshipswithpotential investorsanddonors,andextendingitsoutreach
activitiestobetterdisseminateinformationwithinandoutsidethesubregion.
13.
We expressed our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Governments of the Republic of
IndonesiaandtheKingdomofCambodiaforthesuccessfulorganisationofthe6thIMTGTSummit.
EndofJointStatement.

Ap
ppendix 2

JOINT
TSTATEMEN
NT
E
EIGHTHBRU
UNEIDARUS
SSALAMIN
NDONESIAMALAYSIATHEPHIL
LIPPINES
EAS
STASEANGR
ROWTHARE
EASUMMIT
(8TH BIM
MPEAGASUM
MMIT)
PHNO
OMPENH,CA
AMBODIA,4
4APRIL201
12

11

We, the Lead

ders of Bru
unei Darussaalam, Indonesia, Malayssia and the Philippiness had
1. W
exxtensive, opeen andfruitffuldiscussionson develo
opmentsin thesubregio
t
on. Wereiterated
th
he importan
nce of subreegional econ
nomic coopeeration in BIMPEAGA
B
a a strateggy for
as
co
omplementin
ngASEANin
nitiativestoaachievetheA
ASEANComm
munityby20
015.Wenoteedthe
en
ncouraging gains
g
achiev
ved towards realizing the strategic thrusts
t
of esstablishing BIMP
B
EA
AGA as a regional
r
foo
od basket and
a
ecotourism destinaation, as weell as enhancing
co
onnectivity and
a managin
ng the enviro
onment. We reaffirmed our
o commitm
mentandsup
pport
to
o the BIMPEAGA coopeeration initiaatives and we
w agreed to
o stepup ou
ur individual and
co
ollective actiions to morre effectively
y address the issues and
d challenges that continue to
im
mpedethereealizationof BIMPEAGA
Asvisionand
dgoals.

2.W
WeadoptedttheBIMPEA
AGAImplem
mentationBlueprint(IB))201220
016whichw
would
seerveasguideefortimelyaandeffectiveeachievemen
ntofthesesttrategicthrussts.Toensurrethe
su
uccessfulimp
plementation
nofthestrattegiesandpo
oliciesasweellasprojectssidentifiediinthe
Im
mplementation Blueprintt, we called upon all stak
keholders att the local an
nd national levels
l
particularly th
he private seector to expeedite the implementation
n of the projjects identifiied in
heIB,includiingthestrenggtheningofttheoperation
nalandinstitu
utionalmech
hanism.
th

3. Wereaffirmed
W
dthesignificantcontributionoftheBIMPEAGAsu
ubregionalccooperationiinthe
development of ASEAN Connectivitty as a wh
hole and reeiterated thee importancce of
onnectivity advancemen
a
nts to the ecconomic dev
velopment and
a
to the narrowing
n
o the
of
co
development dividewithin
ntheBIMPE
EAGAcountrries.Wecom
mmendedtheetransportssector
or moving the
t
connectiv
vity agenda forward an
nd for the accomplishm
a
ments thus far
f in
fo
im
mproving traansport and logistics in
n the subreggion. We notted with en
ncouragemen
nt the
co
ommencemeent of the inaaugural fligh
ht of Kalstar, MASwings and
a Mid Sea Express to serve
BIMPEAGAroutes,andsu
upportthein
nitiativetoid
dentifyaddittionalpointsoutsideofB
BIMP
AGAasparttofexpandingcotermin
nalizationop
perationstossustainairseervicesonexiisting
EA
ro
outes and en
ncourage thee entry of neew subregio
onal air conn
nections. We also supporrt the
trransportsecttorforitsefffortstopavethewayforttheformalizaationofnonconventionsized
sh
hipsoperationinthesub
bregion.To
owardsthiseend,weurgeerelevantMinistriestoexxtend
sp
pecial regulaatory arrangeements to en
ntice entry of
o players in the air and shipping serrvices
w
withinthesub
bregion.Weearealsopleeasedwithth
heprogress onthePriorrityInfrastru
ucture
Projects(PIPss)andcontin
nuetourgeo
ourofficialsttotakeproacctivemeasurresinaccelerrating
he implementation of these
t
PIPs as well as identifyingg and prioriitizing addittional
th
in
nfrastructureeprojectstossupportandpromoteoveerallconnecttivityinthesu
ubregion.

Wehavedeclaared,attheA
ASEANlevel thatfoodseecurityisoneeofourmain
nprioritiesinour
4.W
reegionaldevelopmentpro
ogrammesan
nd,therefore,,reaffirmtheepotentialco
ontributiono
ofthe
fo
oodbasketsttrategyofBIM
MPEAGAtoachievingfoodsecurity,n
notonlyinB
BIMPEAGA,b
butin
A
ASEANasaw
whole.Weweereencourageedbythepro
ogressintheeformulation
noftheaction
nand

12

Appendix 2

investmentplansunderthefoodbasketstrategy.Wesupportedtheinitiativestojointly
enhanceourproductioncapacityandstrengthencrossbordertradeofrawmaterialsasthe
initial building blocks towards enhancing longterm cooperation We urged our agriculture
andfisheriesofficialstoworkmorecloselywiththeprivatesectorinforgingjoint
venture projects related to food production and product/resource consolidation;
establishingapolicyandincentiveenvironment,particularlyontradefacilitationmeasures.
In this regard, we look forward to the conduct of the BIMPEAGA and IMTGT High Value
Agriculture Business Conference and Expo in Melaka in 2012 and its recommendations,
whichwillfurtherstrengthenthefoodbasketstrategy.

5.

Wewere encouragedwiththecontinuedinitiativestopromotetheEquatorAsiatourism
brandandapplaudedthetourismsectorforthelaunchingoftheEquatorAsiaHopOnHop
Off bus service linking Pontianak, Indonesia, through Kuching, Malaysia and Bandar Seri
Begawan, Brunei Darussalam to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. We welcomed the collaboration
between the transport and tourism sector in promoting sustainability of intraEAGA
connectivityandthussupportedtheconductofthe1stEquatorAsiaAirAccessForumand
AirlineSummitinthePhilippineson1819April2012.WeurgetheTourismMinistersto
strongly support and include in their national tourism campaigns the marketing and
promotionprogramsofEquatorAsia,especiallytheneededsupportforthedevelopmentof
the priority communitybased ecotourism sites with the end view of increasing tourist
arrivalsinthesubregion.

6. Recognizing that BIMPEAGAs longterm economic development is anchored on the

efficient and sustainable use of its natural resources, we encouraged relevant sectoral
ministries to actively involve local governments and the private sector in developing a
strategic plan of action to protect and conserve the subregions forest and marine
resources and biodiversity. Consistent with our commitment to actively engage in
addressing climate change issues both at the global and regional levels; and recognizing
its significant implications to connectivity, food basket and tourism initiatives, we also
directed our relevant sectoral ministers to start discussions at the BIMPEAGA level
towards addressing subregional climate change issues both in terms of mitigation and
adaptation.

7. We noted the progress undertaken to formalize the establishment of BIMPEAGA

Facilitation Center (BIMPEAGA FC) as the central secretariat for our subregional
cooperation,andlookforwardtotheconclusionofthisagreementassoonaspossible.We
welcomed the initiatives to strengthen the BIMPEAGA FC, including through technical
assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). We also look forward to the
recommendation on the strategy in strengthening the collaboration among regional
secretariatsandothersubregionalinstitutionstoachieveamorecoordinatedapproachto
BIMPEAGA development particularly in the context of supporting the implementation of
theprojectsintheIB.

Appendix 2

13

8. We continue to urge the private sector to play a more proactive role in implementing
initiatives that would encourage publicprivate partnerships as well as introducing
innovations in project development. We, therefore, affirmed our support to various
business initiatives of the private sector in BIMPEAGA and encourage to BIMPEAGA
BusinessCouncil(BEBC)toactivelyengageprivatesectorindividuals,groupsandindustry
associationsintobusinessinteractionswithinandacrossthesubregion,aswellassourcing
outfundstoimplementtheirprojects,programsandactivities.

9. WearegratefultotheADB,ourRegionalDevelopmentAdvisor,foritsunwaveringsupport,
which now spans over a decade, in the areas of strategy formulation, sector studies and
capacitybuilding.WeareparticularlyappreciativeofADBscontributioninthecompletion
oftheBIMPEAGAIB20122016,alandmarkdocumentsignifyingourcollectivestancefora
more focused and resultsbased cooperation in the coming years. We requested ADB to
assist in taking forward the Implementation Blueprint and strengthening the BIMPEAGA
FacilitationCenter.

10. WeappreciatedtheASEANSecretariatsincreasingengagementwithBIMPEAGAandurged
themtostrengthentheirsupportinhighprofilingthesubregionalcooperationtoASEANs
dialogue and external partners; provide advice and guidance in aligning the BIMPEAGA
development agenda with the ASEAN Economic Community Initiatives and help mobilize
knowledge,technicalandfinancialresources.Wewelcomedthegrowingrecognitionofthis
subregional program to ASEAN community building, including its contributions in the
implementationofsomepriorityprojectsintheMasterplanonASEANConnectivity(MPAC).
We looked forward to BIMPEAGA priority infrastructure projects to be financed by the
ASEANInfrastructureFund.

11. We looked forward to a more dynamic engagement by all stakeholders to establish joint
venture undertakings to move forward the subregions existing relations with China and
Japan. We also appreciated the support of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN
andEastAsia(ERIA)especiallyintransportandlogisticsdevelopment.

12. We expressed our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Governments of Brunei
Darussalam and the Kingdom of Cambodia for the successful organization of the Eighth
BIMPEAGASummit.

CCCCCC