Mindanao and Borneo leaders push for stronger economic integration

At the Davao-Borneo Growth Corridor Forum in Davao City, leaders emphasized the need for deeper economic and human integration between Mindanao and Borneo. Vice President Sara Duterte called for dismantling barriers to shared prosperity, noting that the BIMP-EAGA partnership now encompasses 82.68 million people and generates $1.34 trillion in combined economic output.

Duterte highlighted that true growth requires an economy that accommodates regional talent and cultural ties, rather than just focusing on physical infrastructure. She noted that while $174.6 billion in priority projects are already underway, the region must move faster to transform historical ties into everyday cross-border cooperation.

Malaysian Consul General Deddy Faisal Ahmad Salleh advocated for turning geographic proximity into connectivity and economic opportunity. He identified several key sectors for strengthened commercial ties, including agriculture, food security, fisheries, halal industries, tourism, logistics, renewable energy, and the digital economy. Salleh pointed to the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035 as a vital framework for advancing cooperation in workforce development and regional value chains.