The Borneo Economic Community (BEC) and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Borneo Economic Forum 2026 in Kuching, Sarawak, marking a step towards strengthening cooperation on regional economic research and policy development.

The MoU was signed by M. Arsjad Rasjid P.M., Co-Chair of BEC, and Naoto Okura, ERIA’s Director General of Research and Policy Design.

The partnership establishes a basis for closer engagement between BEC and ERIA in support of economic integration and cooperation across Borneo. By connecting BEC’s regional business network with ERIA’s research and policy expertise, the collaboration can help inform discussions on shared economic opportunities and regional development priorities.

The partnership aligns with BEC’s broader mission to facilitate cross-border trade and investment, strengthen connectivity, and encourage cooperation among governments, businesses, and institutions across Brunei Darussalam, Kalimantan, Sabah, and Sarawak.

Through this collaboration, BEC and ERIA seek to contribute to a stronger foundation for evidence-informed dialogue and practical initiatives that support Borneo’s economic development within the wider ASEAN and East Asian regional context.