Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II attended the 27th ASEAN Economic Community Council Meeting (27th AECC) held on the 7th May 2026 in Cebu, Philippines. The meeting was chaired by Her Excellency Ma. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Secretary of Trade and Industry, Republic of Philippines and attended by AEC Ministers from eleven (11) ASEAN Member States and Deputy Secretary-General (AEC), ASEAN Secretariat.
The meeting provided a timely opportunity for economic ministers to exchange views on ASEAN’s collective effort in strengthening the region’s economic integration agenda as well as in advancing modern and forward-looking initiatives, in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. Ministers agreed that continued commitment by all ASEAN Member States is crucial, especially as the region navigates the supply chain disruptions caused by the Middle East Crisis. As such, Ministers discussed Philippines’ Priority Economic Deliverables for 2026, ASEAN’s sustainability and digital transformation agenda, particularly the conclusion of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) negotiations by this year.
In his remark, Yang Berhormat Dato Dr emphasised the need for ASEAN to remain dynamic and leverage upon this crisis to assess and prioritise on impactful initiatives that will ensure ASEAN’s resiliency and preparedness in facing any future crisis. Among others, this includes reaffirming commitment to enhance intra-ASEAN trade flows; reduce barriers to trade; facilitate trade through digitalisation and ensuring integration of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in regional supply chains. In this regard, Yang Berhormat Dato Dr welcomed the good progress of DEFA negotiations and reaffirmed Brunei Darussalam’s commitment to ensure early entry-into-force of Upgraded ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA).
Also in attendance were Yang Mulia Dr Hajah May Fa’ezah binti Haji Ahmad Ariffin, Permanent Secretary (Economy, Trade and Industry) and officers from the Trade Division, MOFE. The 27th AECC meeting was preceded by the Preparatory Meeting of the Senior Economic Officials (Prep-SEOM) on 6th May 2026.
– END-
Prepared by: Trade Division, Ministry of Finance and Economy
Email: BruneiSEOM@mofe.gov.bn
Reference: KKW/TD/ASN: 40
Date: 8 May 2026