Under the theme Building a Future-Ready Economy: Investment, Innovation and Inclusive Growth, the Brunei Business Conference 2025 will convene senior policymakers, business leaders, and regional partners for a one-day strategic dialogue on Brunei’s economic transformation and its role in a rapidly evolving regional and global landscape. The conference is hosted by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Brunei and the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Brunei.
Taking place at a time of global trade realignment, digital disruption, and intensifying sustainability imperatives, the conference will examine how Brunei can prepare its economy to be future-ready—one driven by investment, regional integration, and innovation.
Key topics include:
Boosting investment and regional integration
Strengthening intra-Borneo trade and cross-border collaboration
Unlocking new sectors: green growth, digital tech, and financial services
Advancing Brunei’s energy transition and climate goals
Agenda
Registration
08:00
08:45
Opening Session
Welcome Remarks by
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Haji Abdul Saman bin Haji Ahmad, ASEAN BAC Member and President of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Brunei Darussalam
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Pengiran Aki Ismasufian bin Pengiran Haji Ibrahim, Chair, APEC Business Advisory Council Brunei and CEO, Standard Chartered Bank
09:00
Opening Keynote Address
By Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism
09:15
Keynote Address and Conversation on ASEAN’s Economic Priorities
Towards a Stronger ASEAN
ASEAN must adapt to a world of rising complexity and opportunity. What are the priorities of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council under Malaysia’s Chair of ASEAN? What’s next for growth, cooperation and integration?
Keynote Address by Tan Sri Nazir Razak, Chair, ASEAN-Business Advisory Council 2025 followed by a conversation on growing businesses across ASEAN.
Moderated by Chris Humphrey, Executive Director, EU-ASEAN Business Council.
09:45
Panel Discussion
Brunei’s Economic Outlook: Pathways to Growth
Brunei’s long-term economic resilience will depend on how effectively it can diversify beyond oil and gas and nurture new sectors that are competitive, sustainable and regionally connected.
Which sectors hold the greatest promise for long-term economic development? How can policy, business and institutional support work together to attract foreign direct investment, sustain diversification and grow our economy? Are we developing the right skills and talent for the future?
Remarks by Yang Mulia Dr Hajah May Fae'zah binti Haji Ahmad Ariffin, Permanent Secretary (Economy, Trade and Industry), Ministry of Finance and Economy.
Remarks by Daniel Leong, Acting CEO, Brunei Economic Development Board.
Followed by a panel discussion with senior figures from the private and public sector including:
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Yang Mulia Dr Hajah May Fae'zah binti Haji Ahmad Ariffin, Permanent Secretary (Economy, Trade and Industry), Ministry of Finance and Economy
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Mr. Daniel Leong, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Brunei Economic Development Board
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Dr Harri Kiiski, Chief Executive Officer, Brunei Fertilizer Industries Sdn Bhd
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Pengiran Aki Ismasufian bin Pengiran Haji Ibrahim, Chair, APEC Business Advisory Council Brunei and Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank
Moderated by Allen Lai, Managing Director, Confer Sdn Bhd
10:35
11:00
Networking Break
Presentation
Sabah's Economic Outlook
By Dr Firdausi Suffian, Chief Executive Officer, Invest Sabah Bhd.
11:15
Presentation
Powering the Future of Miri: Green, Smart, and Globally Connected
A presentation on Miri City’s transformation into a liveable, sustainable, and internationally connected hub—driven by its growing energy sector and expanding role in global education and innovation.
By Yang Berhormat Adam Yii, Mayor of Miri City.
11:30
Presentation
Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy
By Kirstyn Thomson, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Singapore and a Regional Lead for Outbound Investment in ASEAN for Austrade
11:45
Panel Discussion on Borneo Trade Corridors:
“Neighbours, everybody needs good neighbours”
Foreign direct investment is increasingly shaped by regional ecosystems, not just individual markets. For Brunei, deeper collaboration with neighbouring regions like Sabah and cities such as Miri in Sarawak offers an opportunity to present a stronger, more coordinated value proposition to global investors — especially when working with trusted partners like Australia.
What does it take to make a region investment-ready? How can cross-border collaboration at both the state and city level enhance infrastructure, policy alignment, and private sector competitiveness? What lessons can we draw from the economic strategies of Australia, Sabah and the on-the-ground experience of Miri?
Panel Discussion with senior figures including:
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Yang Berhormat Adam Yii, Mayor of Miri City
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Kirstyn Thomson, Australia’s Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for Singapore
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Dr Firdausi Suffian, Chief Executive Officer, Invest Sabah Bhd
Moderated by Hafimi Abdul Haadii, Executive Director, LVK Group of Companies and former ABAC Member for Brunei
12:15
Networking Lunch
14:00
Keynote Address on the Brunei Economy:
Building a Future-Ready Economy: Investment, Innovation and Inclusive Growth
by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II
14:20
Presentation: Special Presentation on Brunei’s Digital Economy
14:35
Panel Discussion on the Digital Economy:
Digital Brunei: Payments, Platforms and Possibilities
As ASEAN launches the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), Brunei has an opportunity to grow its digital economy with trusted digital systems and inclusive innovation. How is NDPX shaping the national digital ecosystem? What are Brunei’s comparative advantages in the digital economy?
Remarks by Yang Mulia Mohammad Nazri Mohammad Yusof, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications
Followed by a panel discussion with senior figures from the private and public sector including:
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Yang Mulia Mohammad Nazri Mohammad Yusof, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications
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Yusof Fadli bin Haji Sidek, Chief Information Officer, BIBD
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Radin Sufri Radin Basiuni, Chief Executive Officer, Datastream Digital (DST)
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Hafiz Haslen, CFA, Chief Executive Officer, National Digital Payments Network Sdn Bhd
Moderated by Aimi Ramlee, Director of Digital Innovation & Growth / Co- Founder, Tyne Solutions SDN BHD
15:25
Panel Discussion on Energy:
Energy Futures: ASEAN’s Power Grid and the Sustainability Imperative
The future of ASEAN’s energy landscape is clean, connected, and competitive. How will Brunei contribute? How can Brunei balance hydrocarbons and green ambitions?
Remarks by Yang Mulia Hajah Farida binti Dato Seri Paduka Haji Talib, Permanent Secretary (Energy), Prime Minister’s Office
Followed by a panel discussion with senior figures from the private and public sector including:
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Yang Mulia Hajah Farida binti Dato Seri Paduka Haji Talib, Permanent Secretary (Energy), Prime Minister’s Office
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Beni Suryadi, Senior Manager of APAEC and Strategic Partnership, ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE)
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Adeleye Falade, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Brunei LNG
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Dr Nawshad Haque, Principal Scientist, CSIRO Energy
Moderated by Dr Diana Cheong, Executive Director and Chief Researcher, Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies
16:15
Closing Keynote Address
Tariffs, Shifting Trade and Evolving Alliances: What Global Changes Mean for ASEAN, APEC and Brunei.
As global alliances shift and regionalism resurges, ASEAN and APEC must navigate disruption to maintain openness. How are global trade relationships being reshaped? What does this mean for small and open economies like Brunei?
Closing Keynote Address and Q&A with Dr Deborah Elms, Head of Trade Policy, Hinrich Foundation.
Brunei Business Conference concludes
17:30
17:00
Networking Refreshments
Featured Speakers
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Early Bird Rate ends on Wednesday 18 June.
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