Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia – The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin Indonesia) received the symbolic handover of the host status for the BIMP-EAGA Trade, Investment and Halal Industry Conference from Malaysia to Indonesia. The handover took place as part of the 3rd BIMP-EAGA Trade, Investment and Halal Industry Conference, themed “Connecting Markets, Scaling Values,” at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, on Wednesday (02/09/2026).

At the symbolic host handover ceremony, Kadin Indonesia was represented by Deputy Chairman for Multilateral Diplomacy, Andi Anzhar Cakrawijaya. Indonesia will subsequently host the 4th BIMP-EAGA Trade, Investment and Halal Industry Conference in Jakarta in October 2027.

The handover of the host status marks Kadin Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening business collaboration in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), particularly in the development of trade, investment, the halal industry, and economic connectivity among the regions.

During the conference, Chairman of Kadin Indonesia’s Permanent Committee for ASEAN, BIMP-EAGA, and IMT-GT, Soeryo Poetranto, also served as moderator of the second panel session titled “Opportunities and Incentives for Halal Trade and Investment in BIMP-EAGA.”

The session featured panelists representing Wardah Malaysia, PDS Abattoir Sdn. Bhd., the Philippine Trade and Investment Center, and POIC Sabah. The discussion explored various opportunities and incentives to boost trade and investment in the halal industry across the BIMP-EAGA region.

Soeryo said that the BIMP-EAGA region has significant economic potential, particularly due to its geographical proximity, similar market characteristics, and growing demand for halal products and services.

“BIMP-EAGA has tremendous economic potential, particularly in strengthening the mutual recognition arrangements that we need among BIMP-EAGA countries concerning halal products,” Soeryo said.

According to Soeryo, strengthening mutual recognition arrangements concerning halal certification and standards is an important step toward facilitating the flow of trade in the region. The harmonization and mutual recognition of standards are expected to reduce trade barriers while providing greater certainty for businesses seeking to expand their markets across BIMP-EAGA member countries.

Such cooperation also has the potential to create more opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to enter regional halal industry supply chains. In addition to food and beverages, the halal industry has potential across sectors including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, tourism, logistics, and various other supporting services.

BIMP-EAGA is a subregional economic cooperation initiative comprising Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The initiative was established in Davao City, the Philippines, in 1994 to promote economic growth, connectivity, trade, investment, and development across the subregions of its member countries.

For Indonesia, BIMP-EAGA covers several provinces across Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua. The cooperation serves as an important instrument for strengthening regional economic integration while promoting more equitable growth beyond the country’s main economic centers.

Indonesia’s selection as the host of the fourth conference in 2027 is expected to serve as an opportunity to expand concrete cooperation among businesses, increase cross-border trade and investment, and strengthen BIMP-EAGA’s position as one of Southeast Asia’s centers of halal industry growth.

Representing Kadin Indonesia at the event were Deputy Chairman for Multilateral Diplomacy Andi Anzhar Cakrawijaya; Chairman of the Permanent Committee for ASEAN, BIMP-EAGA, and IMT-GT Soeryo Poetranto; Chairman of the Gotong Royong Task Force for Free Nutritious Meals, Chandra Tirta Wijaya; Deputy Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Strengthening BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT Inter-Institutional Cooperation Ira Herawati Kusumawardani; Deputy Chairman of the Permanent Committee for BIMP-EAGA Yahya Adi Dharma Prawiro; Deputy Chairman for Agricultural Logistics Rian Suarianto; Deputy Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Strengthening IMT-GT Ika Sarawati Sulandjari; Deputy Chairman of the Permanent Committee for the BIMP-EAGA Business Council Sayid Irwan; and Deputy Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Exhibitions Don Haidy Abel.