Officials of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) tackled plans to revive the Davao-Manado air route and strengthen Halal industry cooperation during their ministerial meetings here Wednesday.

Mindanao Development Authority Undersecretary Janet Lopoz, the Philippines’ alternate senior official for BIMP-EAGA, said a joint task force with Indonesia will study the route’s viability.

“From our end, a task force will be created between Indonesia and the Philippines to look into the viability and renegotiations of the Davao-Manado route,” Lopoz said.

She explained that an enhanced ASEAN transport framework approved last month enables unlimited point-to-point destinations, potentially allowing flights to pick up passengers in Cebu before proceeding to Davao, Manado and Bali.

Delegates also established a Task Force on Halal to address industry challenges and boost private-sector cooperation.

“We are looking at partnerships with Malaysia and Indonesia for production, and Brunei Darussalam as the initial consolidation market,” Lopoz said.

Malaysia’s Datuk Dr. Zunika Mohamed pledged continued capacity-building support for Mindanao’s Halal industry, while Indonesia’s Bobby Chriss Siagian emphasized the need for mutual recognition of Halal products across member countries.

The BIMP-EAGA meetings continue through Friday with engagements in the Island Garden City of Samal. (PNA)