Yang Mulia Dr. Hajah May Fa’ezah binti Haji Ahmad Ariffin, Permanent Secretary (Economy, Trade and Industry), Ministry of Finance and Economy (MOFE) attended the 49th Meeting of the ASEAN High-Level Task Force on Economic Integration (49th HLTF EI), which was held on 26 – 27 February 2026 in Iloilo City, Philippines.
The HLTF-EI serves as the advisory body of ASEAN Economic Ministers and the ASEAN Economic Community Council, where the Meeting was held as part of the Philippines Chairship of ASEAN this year, under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together”.
The meeting was chaired by Allan B. Gepty, Undersecretary for International Trade Policy, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippines, and was attended by the Deputy Secretary General for ASEAN Economic Community and all ASEAN members of the High-Level Task Force on Economic Integration, including, for the first time, representatives from Timor Leste.
The meeting discussed, among others, global and regional economic developments, HLTF governance issues, the Philippines’ Priority Economic Deliverables and AEC Monitoring and Evaluation, and agreed on recommendations to be submitted to the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM).
The ASEAN High-Level Task Force on Economic Integration is expected to convene its next meeting in August 2026.
Prepared by:
Trade Division
Ministry of Finance and Economy
Negara Brunei Darussalam
Email: pr@mofe.gov.bn
Date: 28 February 2026
Reference: KKW/TD/ASN: 41