On behalf of ASEAN BAC Brunei, I would like to extend my warm congratulations on the establishment of the Dialogue for Innovative and Sustainable Growth (DISG), which I strongly believe will be a beneficial platform to explore issues together with multisectoral bodies to overcome the adverse impact of COVID-19 on our economy, and also to explore future ASEAN-Japan collaboration in many potential areas. The pandemic has emphasized on the importance of cooperation to recover together. We are grateful for our close economic tie with Japan in supporting the regional economic integration, especially during the post-pandemic era.

The ASEAN business community through my council strives to aid economic and business recovery in the region through close collaboration, one of the initiatives through the launching of programs and legacy projects. Therefore we look forward to collaborate with Japan who has been a long term investor in ASEAN through DISG, for Brunei’s legacy project H.I.R.E.D. or Harnessing Impact with Resilient Employability Digitally. We will prepare our workforce for a digital future through engagement in trainings and innovative alliances. This will be in line with the ASEAN-Japan Economic Resilience Action Plan. We believe it will be greatly beneficial for ASEAN and Japan, especially for capacity-building to improve our industrial competitiveness especially with the Industrial Revolution 4.0 on its way. I firmly believe this cooperation will bring our economic ties closer for a prosperous and resilient future together. Let’s Recover, Stronger, Together, Sama-Sama.