Brunei Business Conference 2026 | Brunei Economy Programme

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Registration for the Brunei Business Conference 2026 is now full.
Thank you for your support!

WHAT YOU WILL EXPLORE

Engines of Opportunity

Finance

Industry

Borneo

Education

Healthcare

Tourism

Regional Investment

The Brunei Business Conference 2026 brings together business leaders, policymakers, investors and regional partners to explore how Brunei can build a more diversified, competitive and future-ready economy. Under the theme “Brunei’s Next Economy: Growth and New Engines of Opportunity,” the conference will examine the regional economic outlook and emerging opportunities across investment, digital transformation and AI, healthcare, tourism, finance, industry and future skills.

It will also explore how Brunei, Kalimantan, Sabah and Sarawak can work together through Invest Borneo to attract investment, strengthen regional value chains and create new business partnerships. Hosted under the Brunei Economy Programme by ASEAN and APEC Business Advisory Councils of Brunei in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), the conference offers a valuable platform to exchange ideas, build connections and contribute towards Wawasan Brunei 2035.

PROGRAMME AT A GLANCE

A full day designed for insight and connection.

*to be confirmed

08:00

Registration and networking

08:45

Opening Session

Welcome Remarks by

● Haji Musa Adnin, ASEAN BAC Chair and Managing Director, Adinin Group of Companies

● Pengiran Aki Ismasufian bin Pengiran Haji Ibrahim, Chair, APEC Business Advisory Council Brunei and CEO, Standard Chartered Bank

09:00

Opening Keynote Address

Brunei’s Next Economy: Growth and New Engines of Opportunity

By Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, Coordinating Minister of Economic Policies & Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry

09:15

Regional Economic Outlook Keynote Address

The Regional Outlook and its Impact on ASEAN

Middle East tensions, energy prices, inflation and shifting geoeconomics are reshaping the outlook for ASEAN. Major regional trends - including investment flows, trade shifts, AI, digital transformation, and global economic uncertainty - will influence how ASEAN positions itself for growth.

How is Malaysia positioning for the future? What are the opportunities for collaboration with Brunei?

Keynote Address and conversation with Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Chairman, Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA)

Moderated by Pengiran Aki Ismasufian bin Pengiran Haji Ibrahim, Chair, APEC Business Advisory Council Brunei and CEO, Standard Chartered Bank

10:00

Presentation on Invest Borneo

UNESCAP’s Invest Borneo initiative, funded by the Islamic Development Bank, aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of national investment promotion agencies in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia to attract high-quality, sustainable foreign direct investment.

By Dr. Heather Lynne Taylor-Strauss, Economic Affairs Officer, Trade, Investment and Innovation Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP)

10:15

Invest in Indonesia

Indonesia’s Next Growth Chapter: Investment Opportunities for Brunei and Borneo

Indonesia, ASEAN’s largest economy and most populous nation, has an ambitious investment agenda that will shape regional growth. Borneo, however, has yet to function as a fully connected investment and production ecosystem.

How is Indonesia’s economic and investment strategy evolving, and what opportunities does this create for Brunei? How can development in Kalimantan combine Indonesia’s scale with Brunei and Malaysia’s capital, expertise and regional connections?

By Irma Rachmiyati, Director, Indonesia Investment Promotion Centre (IIPC) Singapore.

10:30

Nusantara Capital City Authority

Presentation on Indonesia’s vision for Borneo as a strategic and sustainable growth corridor, with Nusantara (IKN) as a catalyst for regional development, connectivity, and economic transformation.

By Muhammad Naufal Aminuddin, Director of Financing, Nusantara Capital Authority

10:45

Networking Break

11:15

Invest in Sabah

Presentation on the Investment Priorities in Sabah

By Kevin George Ukang, Chief Executive Oﬃcer, Invest Sabah Berhad

11:30

Invest in Sarawak

Presentation on the Investment Priorities in Sarawak

By Bede Hong, Investment Manager, Invest Sarawak (virtual)

11:45

Panel Discussion on Invest Borneo

Invest Borneo: From Collaboration to Investment Partnerships

Borneo is becoming an important regional growth story. For Brunei, deeper economic links with Kalimantan, Sabah and Sarawak present a significant opportunity to grow trade, attract investment and build new areas of collaboration. Energy, infrastructure and connectivity will be central to shaping Borneo’s next phase of growth.

How can Brunei, Kalimantan, Sabah and Sarawak work together to attract more investment into Borneo? How can Borneo work with international partners like Australia to accelerate growth? What role can energy, infrastructure and connectivity play in creating new growth corridors?

Featuring a panel of senior figures including:

Daniel Leong, Acting CEO, Brunei Economic Development Board
Kevin George Ukang, Chief Executive Oﬃcer, Invest Sabah Berhad
Thomas Noto Suoneto, Vice President of International Affairs, Indonesian Business Council
Irma Rachmiyati, Director, Indonesia Investment Promotion Centre (IIPC) Singapore
Dr. Heather Lynne Taylor-Strauss, Economic Affairs Officer, Trade, Investment and Innovation Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP)

Moderated by Jukhee Hong, Executive Advisor, The Southeast Asian Futures Initiative Centre (SEAFIC) and Founder, aseanx

12:30

Networking Lunch

Regional Economic Outlook Keynote Address

The Regional Outlook and its Impact on ASEAN

14:00

Keynote Address on Healthcare

Brunei’s Healthcare Priorities for the Future

Keynote by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar, Minister of Health

14:15

Panel Discussion on Healthcare

Growing Brunei’s Healthcare Industry

Healthcare is a growth sector for private investment and employment. Private healthcare, insurance, medical tourism, specialist services, AI, digital health and public-private collaboration can all contribute to a healthier population and a stronger economy.

How can Brunei grow a stronger private healthcare industry while maintaining access and quality? How are AI and digital technologies changing the future of healthcare delivery, patient care and medical services in Brunei?

Featuring a panel of senior figures including:

Cecilia Phan, General Manager, AIA Brunei
Pg Dr Nur Ashikin binti Pg Dato Paduka Haji Tengah, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Jerudong Park Medical Centre
Yang Mulia Awang Haji Adi Ihram bin Dato Paduka Haji Mahmud, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health
Haji Julaini bin Haji Latip, CEO, Tamada Nursing Service Brunei Darussalam

Moderated by Allen Lai, Managing Director, Confer Sdn Bhd

15:00

Presentation on Visit Brunei Year 2027

Visit Brunei Year 2027: Building a Destination Economy

By Hjh Nur Fariza Munyati Hj Abd Aji, Acting Deputy Director, Tourism and Head of the Regulatory, Standard, Competency, and Enforcement Division, Tourism Development Department

15:15

Panel Discussion on Visit Brunei Year 2027

Visit Brunei Year 2027 is an opportunity to grow Brunei’s tourism economy and strengthen the country’s position as a distinctive regional destination. Preparing for 2027 will require close collaboration across tourism, aviation, hospitality, events, healthcare, education and digital marketing.

What must Brunei prepare now to make Visit Brunei Year 2027 a success? How can Brunei grow beyond leisure tourism into business events, medical tourism and education tourism?

Featuring a panel of senior figures including:

Christina Gutierrez-Dumaraos, General Manager, Radisson Hotel Brunei
Colonel Norsuriati binti Haji Sharbini, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Royal Brunei Airlines
Hjh Nur Fariza Munyati Hj Abd Aji, Acting Deputy Director, Tourism and Head of the Regulatory, Standard, Competency, and Enforcement Division, Tourism Development Department

Moderated by Reuben Chin, Head of Startups & Emerging Enterprises, Brunei Economic Development Board

16:00

Networking Refreshments

17:00

Brunei Business Conference 2026 Concludes

Our Speakers

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YB Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin

Coordinating Minister of Economic Policies & Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and Chairman of the Brunei Economic Development Board

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YB Dato Seri Setia Dr. Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar

Minister of Health

YM Awang Haji Adi Ihram bin Dato Paduka Haji Mahmud

Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Health

Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz

Chairman,

Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)

Dr. Heather Lynne

Taylor-Strauss

Economic Affairs Officer, Trade, Investment and Innovation Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP)