The Brunei BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC) recently participated in a forum held at QUBU Resort of Pontianak, West Kalimantan in Indonesia.
The event which took place on the sidelines of the 25th BIMP-EAGA Ministerial Meetings aimed to strengthen the cooperation between business sectors in the region.
Among matters touched during the convention include recoveries from the hard-hitting COVID-19 pandemic which had hit several business sectors since 2020.
Hosting the forum was Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry of Economics Affair, along with the committee of BIMP-EAGA Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN Indonesia) as its event coordinator.
BEBC Brunei’s Country Director Haji Alimen Jaafar at the forum recalled the statement issued by BIMP-EAGA leaders at the recent Summit held in October 2021.
The Statement commended the active private sector engagement demonstrated by BEBC and other private sector players in promoting trade, tourism, and investment (TTI).
It also covered other areas of socioeconomic development in the midst of the pandemic, as well as their concerted efforts in assisting the sub-economic region’s recovery.
“Our Leaders also pledged to strengthen BIMP-EAGA cooperation in all sectors, build on significant connectivity achievements, and strengthen the development of economic corridors and special economic zones (SEZs) to sustain trade and supply chains, attract quality investments, and promote inclusive growth in the new normal,” said Haji Alimen.
“Given this mandate, the BEBC, as a private sector representation, has played and will continue to play a significant and important role in bringing the vision to fruition,” he added.
The country director also highlighted notable milestones achieved by the BEBC including the virtual signing of the BIMP-EAGA North-West Economic Corridor which took place in March 2022.
The document signed was a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by signatories from the respective BEBCs of Brunei, Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan (Malaysia), Palawan, BARMM and Zamboanga (Philippines).
The MoU was formed to clearly define the duties and responsibilities of the respective business councils in facilitating and encouraging TTI growth within the BIMP-EAGA (Intra-EAGA) and outside the EAGA (Extra-EAGA) towards the construction of the corridor.
The BEBC, Hj Alimen said, has been actively engaging relevant stakeholders, as well as seeking private sector investment and technological partners, to assist in kick-starting the post-pandemic economic recovery.
Additionally, the country director also informed participants in the forum that there will be a BEBC B2B Expo in Bandar Seri Begawan in February next year – which is also part of the initiative to assist business in kickstarting their post-pandemic recoveries.
Three MoUs were also signed on the sidelines of the forum where signatories include the West Kalimantan Chamber of Commerce and the Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and the Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and the Sarawak Business Federation.
The MoUs emphasise trade and industry, finance, investment, tourism, health, and other agreed fields.
Meanwhile, another agreement was signed between PT Sterilyn Halal Internasional of Indonesia and Riza Fudhlana Farming of Brunei, focusing on cooperation in the fields of health, agribusiness, and fisheries.
Representing Riza Fudhlana Farming of Brunei was its Managing Director, who is also the current BEBC Chairman Pg Haji Haris Pg Duraman while Sterilyn Halal Internasional was represented by its President Director Devi Erna Rachmawati.
The MoU was hoped to strengthen Riza Fudhlana’s production of Chicken by utilising technological advancements, with support from the Indonesian company.
Also present at the forum were the Governor of West Kalimantan Province the Honorable Sutarmidji and Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bernardigo Vega.
Rafidah Hamit
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
MEDIASTAR
