Handover Ceremony on 20 January 2021
The ASEAN Business Advisory Council ("ASEAN BAC") formally handed over its chairmanship to Yang Berhormat FDr. Ar. Siti Rozaimeriyanty DSLJ Haji Abd Rahman of Brunei in a formal ceremony on 20 January 2021 using a hybrid platform of virtual and in-person attendees. The event was attended in-person by representatives from the Government of Brunei Darussalam, representatives from various Embassies, Brunei members of ASEAN BAC, Haslina Taib and Musa Adinin, representatives from Chambers of Commerce, Business Councils and Associations.
Attending virtually were ASEAN-BAC Council members from the 9 other ASEAN economies and Joint Business Councils. As the ASEAN BAC follows the ASEAN Leaders’ order of succession, YB Yanty Rahman of Brunei assumed the chairmanship role this year from 2020 Chair Vietnam’s Dr. Doan Duy Khuong. Representing Dr. Khuong, who was unable to physically join, was Vietnam Ambassador to Brunei, His Excellency Tran Van Khoa.
We care, We prepare, We prosper
– Aligned and Reinforced by ASEAN BAC
The ceremony was keynoted by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister of Finance and Economy II and Chair of ASEAN Economic Minister 2021 as Guest of Honor. He noted the strong alignment between ASEAN BAC’s theme and the Brunei government’s theme of ‘ We care, We prepare, We prosper’. He gave due stress to the importance given by Brunei to ASEAN solidarity at this time of the pandemic as it prepares for strong, inclusive and sustainable recovery but without losing ASEAN centrality amidst the geopolitical forces that impact ASEAN. He further elaborated on the program of Brunei to drive the theme forward under three strategic thrusts of Recovery, Digitalization and Sustainability to be achieved through a 10-Points Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs).
Translating Goals to Action that Impact Lives and Livelihoods in ASEAN
Following the keynote speech was H.E. Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary General of the ASEAN Secretariat who shared his valuable insights on ASEAN 2021 and on the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) which was launched by the ASEAN Leaders last November. He stressed the importance of deepening the public-private-partnership between ASEAN and ASEAN BAC to translate the ACRF into concrete results that will impact the lives and livelihoods of the ASEAN people.
After the ceremonial hand over of the ASEAN BAC flag to YB Yanty Rahman, she said “The gracious presence of YB Dato Dr Amin Liew, H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi and the Ambassador from Vietnam and Brunei’s Ambassador to Vietnam highlights the strong and enduring public-private-partnership cooperation which has served as the main anchor of ASEAN BAC.” She added that at this time of disruption and challenges caused by the pandemic, the call to unity and togetherness among ASEAN member states, both public and private sectors, has never been so compelling.
She proceeded to present and launch the ASEAN BAC’s Chairmanship theme of Recover. Stronger. Together. Sama-Sama which is fully aligned with the Brunei government’s theme and fully supports the ACRF. She further said that “While ASEAN must recover sooner rather than later, it cannot simply aim for survival, but must take advantage of the opportunity to come out even stronger but only if it does things together – Sama-Sama.”
Pursuing the theme of Recover. Stronger. Together. SAMA SAMA, together with its partner champions, the newly installed ASEAN BAC chair presented the plans for ASEAN-BAC under Brunei’s chairmanship in 2021 and expressed her willingness for the public and private sectors to work together to realise shared goals for the future of ASEAN.
Chairmanship Theme
Theme: Recover. Stronger. Together. Sama-sama.
Our theme is aligning with ASEAN Theme this year - ‘Recover. Stronger. Together. Sama-Sama’, which personifies and further strengthen our efforts in all fundamental areas.
We Recover
We pursue our support in reviving our business sectors from the COVID-19 pandemic, enhancing our private public collaboration for vaccine availability, improved our access to effective and speedy bridge financing, the creation of new markets emerging from the ‘new norm’ including Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and we boost smart mentoring for digital transformation.
- Support businesses for recovery from pandemic as outlined in the Pathway 225* Report (Pathway 225 is a report titled “A Pathway towards Recovery and Hope for ASEAN” acknowledged by the leaders in ASEAN Summit 2020).
- Public Private Collaboration for accessibility of vaccines.
- Access to effective and speedy bridge financing.
- New Markets emerging from the ‘new norm’ including RCEP.
- Smart mentoring for digital transformation.
We are Stronger
In our pursuit of our recovery, we shall rope our ASEAN Businesses to collectively recover stronger, uplift our economic harmonisation and reform under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and outlining our tactical actions in emerging Pathway 225 to build stronger businesses.
- ASEAN Businesses can collectively recover stronger.
- Economic harmonization and reform under the AEC.
- Strategic actions materializing Pathway 225* will make businesses stronger.
We are Together (Sama-Sama)
As we recover to be stronger, together we shall signify our voice as One Community who are more connected, robust and integrated as we move together to achieve our goals.
We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper Sama-Sama towards One Vision, One Identity, One Community. We move together towards our future - we are indeed the ASEAN Legacy.
Chairmanship 2021 Deliverables
Endorsing Private Sector Champion or co-champions for each PED
In support of ASEAN Chairmanship 13 PEDs.
Healthcare
Saving Lives and Livelihoods in the short term, and preparing for a sustainable and resilient recovery for the medium to long term.
Trade Facilitation
In support of Brunei’s Chairmanship PEDs to zero in on NTMs.
MSME Development Agenda
Pursuing legacy projects in support of SAPSMED’s 5 Pillars.