As part of the 48th ASEAN Summit, Special Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit took place on May 7 and yielded BIMP-EAGA Vision (BPEV) 2035—a strategic roadmap for the coming decade, envisioning a more resilient, inclusive, sustainable and economically competitive subregion.
Author: Elisabeth Xaviera
Political Analyst
ASEAN Foreign and Economic Ministers hold joint meeting ahead of main summit
Ahead of the 48th ASEAN Summit scheduled for May 8, ASEAN Foreign and Economic Ministers convened a joint meeting on May 7,
Myanmar to advance agricultural joint ventures with China’s Guokee
China’s agribusiness firm Guokee Bio-Tech Company is slated to partner with Myanmar entrepreneurs to advance joint ventures and establish a business-to-business (B2B) pact in the agricultural sector.
Singapore’s Grab first-quarter results exceed forecasts as revenue climbs 24%
On May 5, Singapore’s super-app Grab released unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2026 (ending March 31), marking a notable performance as it surpassed analysts’ forecasts.
Indonesia to maintain coal reliance amid energy security push
“I have decided, let’s go with coal. This is survival mode,” declared Indonesia’s Energy and Mineral Resources Minister, Bahlil Lahadalia, during his keynote speech at the Bogor Agricultural University Alumni Forum in Jakarta on 2 May.
Myanmar President inspects Yangon urban development, orders proper town planning
On May 2, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Min Aung Hlaing, inspected urban development activities and sanitation progress along the No. 5 Highway in Hlinethaya Township, Yangon Region.
Cambodia to cut textile import reliance by 2027
Cambodia’s Labour and Vocational Training Minister, Heng Sour, expressed confidence that the country will achieve textile independence by 2027.
AECC convenes special meeting as Hormuz disruptions rattle supply chains
“ASEAN is stronger when it acts together, especially in times of uncertainty,” said Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Chair of the ASEAN Economic Community Council (AECC) as well as Philippines’ Secretary of Trade and Industry, at a press briefing following the AECC ministers’ special meeting on April 30.
Taiwan’s TECO pledges US$12 million busway manufacturing plant in Malaysia
Taiwan’s TECO Electric & Machinery—a major global industrial conglomerate specialising in electromechanical engineering, automation and green energy solutions—has expanded into the Southeast Asian market with a 12 million million US dollar investment pledge in Malaysia.
Cambodia ends April with sixth fuel price rise
Phnom Penh ends April with a fuel price surge. Effective April 29, petrol (Gasoline 92) is priced at 5,510 Cambodian riels (1.37 US dollars) per litre, while diesel (Gasoil 10 parts per million (ppm)) costs 5,650 Cambodian riels (1.41 US dollars) per litre.