BRUNEI CHAIRMANSHIP 2021

ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) 2021 & ASEAN Business Awards (ABA) 2021

The ASEAN Business and Investment Summit is Southeast Asia's premier annual forum that brings together heads of state, presidents, prime ministers as well as ASEAN business and thought leaders and its global partners.It is a unique platform to hear how the key issues facing the region are being addressed and to discuss how to ensure the opportunities in ASEAN's vibrant economies are reaped sustainably and inclusively.

The coronavirus continues to impact lives and livelihoods across Southeast Asia. Organised by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2021 takes place against a backdrop where a pandemic has caused the world to stop, rethink business models and social contracts and reconsider the future of work and education. Carrying the theme of Building Our Sustainable Digital Future', this year's Summit will focus on how the region can build back better and recover stronger, together.

"Brunei Darussalam is delighted to be hosting the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2021 and showcasing its leadership and Chairmanship of ASEAN to the world", said Haslina Taib, chair of the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2021. The Summit has been described as a pivotal event where the public and private sectors can come together and identify ways to promote inclusive sustainable growth in a digital age. In the lead up to the important Summit, two ASEAN business roundtables were held online to enable a deeper dive into topics, focusing specifically on 'Fintech and Financial Literacy' in August and "Skills for a Digital Age' in September.

According to the event's programme, the Summit itself will feature several important keynote addresses, presentations as well as a series of panel discussions. One such panel discussion will set the scene by focusing on ASEAN's priorities in the new normal, addressing questions pertaining to the social, economic and geo-political Issues facing Southeast Asia, how ASEAN can balance economic recovery with sustainable growth, as well as the investment and trading environment for the region.

A subsequent session will look at the shape of things to come, where a panel will discuss how to prepare for the future of work, education, health, travel and life in a post-COVID ASEAN. It will also put the spotlight on new business models and supply chain shifts, as well as key issues to watch out for. 

Another panel discussion highlighted advancing ASEAN's digital economy, zeroing in on how ASEAN can develop a digital eco-system for sustainable and inclusive growth, how Southeast Asian businesses can accelerate their digital transformation, as well as what the challenges are in connecting ASEAN digitally. An additional panel session will discuss ASEAN's circular economy, with a focus on how Southeast Asia can grow sustainably, while also exploring what needs to be done to incentivise business, big and small, to transition and commit to net- Zero. Following the Summit, November 10 would see the ASEAN Business Awards 2021 take place, with the aim to recognise outstanding key enterprises that have contributed significantly to the ASEAN region. A kick-off event was held on July 7 to launch the ASEAN Business And Investment Summit 2021 and ASEAN Business Awards 2021.

Speaking to media, ASEAN-BAC Chair and Legislative Council member Yang Berhormat Siti Rozaimeriyanty binti Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Abdul Rahman said, "We will let Brunei businesses hear from world leaders who will talk live in Brunei Darussalam and expose our small and Medium enterprises (SMEs) to these world leaders and corporate figures to encourage local entrepreneurs to see what is beyond Brunei Darussalam. There are a lot of opportunities for our SMEs."

On 30th November 2021, The ASEAN Business Advisory Council hosted the annual ASEAN Business Award 2021 as part of Brunei Darussalam’s ASEAN Chairmanship year. The event was held virtually, drawing over 1,000 people to watch the live stream on the YouTube channel. 

The ASEAN Business Awards (ABA) have been established for over 10 years and aim to recognise such outstanding and successful ASEAN companies contributing to ASEAN’s economic growth and prosperity.

Brunei Darussalam’s ASEAN Chairmanship year acknowledges the struggles of businesses amidst COVID-19 and has translated this into the ASEAN Business Awards 2021 theme; “Recover, Stronger, Together, Sama-Sama”. These awards provide a strategic approach for businesses to survive during a pandemic as it elevates their presence and provides increased credibility and respect within the regional and global business communities.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office delivered an opening keynote address noting that “through this difficult time, the business community has shown immense strength and I am proud to be part of an event which celebrates resilience, innovation and the spirit to overcome challenges.”

His Royal Highness emphasised the importance of public-private sector collaboration stressing “Programmes such as the ASEAN Business Roundtables, ASEAN Business and Investment Summit and the ASEAN Business Awards, show that the government and the private sector work hand in hand, great things can be achieved”.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office delivered an opening keynote address noting that “through this difficult time, the business community has shown immense strength and I am proud to be part of an event which celebrates resilience, innovation and the spirit to overcome challenges.”

His Royal Highness emphasised the importance of public-private sector collaboration stressing “Programmes such as the ASEAN Business Roundtables, ASEAN Business and Investment Summit and the ASEAN Business Awards, show that the government and the private sector work hand in hand, great things can be achieved”.

Congratulating the award winners, His Royal Highness called on the business community to grow and contribute further to their country and region.

“The inaugural ASEAN Business Awards in 2007, were the first of their kind in the region, established with the dual objectives of recognizing outstanding and successful ASEAN Economic Community”said Hj Musa bin Hj Adnin, Chair of the ASEAN Business Award 2021 in his welcoming remarks.

He added that the awards also shine a spotlight on promising small and medium-sized enterprises that have the potential of becoming global economic players.

Haji Musa bin Haji Adnin concluded his closing remarks by strongly encouraged companies that have not yet been successful or have not put themselves forward, to prepare for this golden opportunity to partake and not to miss out on the numerous advantages available in the ASEAN Business Award 2022 in conjunction with the ASEAN Chairmanship year 2022 by the Kingdom of Cambodia.  

Out of 126 applications received, 86 were shortlisted and 45 were presented the prestigious awards to organisations from ASEAN countries including two non-ASEAN countries in the ‘Friends of ASEAN’ category. There were four organisations from Brunei that won the awards, with one company winning in two categories. 

The ASEAN Business Awards features 8 categories that included:

  1. Priority Integration Sectors

  2. SME Excellence

  3. Young Entrepreneur

  4. Women Entrepreneur

  5. Friend of ASEAN

  6. Inclusive Business

  7. Skills Development, and

  8. Brunei Special Award for Emerging Social Enterprise to commemorate Brunei’s Chairmanship Year 2021. 

The Hon. Siti Rozaimeriyanty binti Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Abdul Rahman, Chair of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council 2021 in her ‘Vote of Thanks’ said, “both the winners and all of the nominees are indeed the true champions of ASEAN’s  Economic Pillar. She believed that the companies have persevered and proven that opportunities for trade in goods and services as well as wealth creation abound in ASEAN waiting to be seized.

“Year after year, the award winners provide us with fresh perspectives and renewed hope on how to succeed in ASEAN. This is a true cause for celebration and deserves to be recognised’ she added. 

The ASEAN Business Awards featured special Remarks by Puan. Hajah Farida binti Dato Talib, Managing Director and CEO of Brunei LNG and Puan. Hajah Noraini binti Haji Sulaiman, Deputy Managing Director 1 of Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam who are the Lead Partners of the private sectors’ Brunei Chairmanship of ASEAN 2021. 

The Awards were presented by sponsors of Brunei’s private sector’s Chairmanship of ASEAN for 2021 that included the ASEAN Business Roundtables, ASEAN Business and Investment Summit and the ASEAN Business Awards.

The event was choreographed by Origin with a 100% local cast showing the best of ASEAN’s culture.