​05 April 2024

Yang Mulia Pengiran Datin Seri Paduka Hajah Zety Sufina binti Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Sani, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy (Fiscal) at the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Brunei Darussalam attended the 11th AFMGM and Related Meetings held in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. Also present at the Meetings was Yang Mulia Dayang Hajah Rokiah binti Haji Badar, Managing Director of the Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB).

The Ministerial Meetings began with dialogues between ASEAN Finance Ministers and representatives as well as ASEAN Central Bank Governors with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, European Union - ASEAN Business Council and United States - ASEAN Business Council to discuss opportunities for public and private sector collaboration in sustaining ASEAN’s long-term growth and sustainable development in areas such as green, blended and transition finance, digital economy, fintech and illicit trade.

ASEAN Finance Ministers and representatives also participated in a dialogue session with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) including the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office. Views were exchanged on the regional and global economic outlooks and ways for ASEAN and IFIs to strengthen collaboration and build greater regional resilience against challenges, among others, on supply chain resilience and climate change.

During the plenary session, ASEAN Finance Ministers and representatives expressed support for Lao PDR’s 2024 ASEAN Chairmanship priorities, under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience” and discussed ways to strengthen ASEAN Finance cooperation in customs, treasury, taxation, insurance, infrastructure financing and cross-sectoral engagements between the ASEAN Finance track and other sectors including health and agriculture. The Meeting also noted the importance for ASEAN to continue deepening collaboration with its external partners.

In her interventions, Yang Mulia Pengiran Datin Seri Paduka Hajah Zety Sufina:

• Welcomed the progress made on various sectors of ASEAN Finance cooperation including customs and taxation;
• Welcomed the establishment of the ASEAN Treasury Forum which aims to enhance collaboration between the Treasuries of ASEAN Member States and offers opportunities for exchanges in best practices, capacity building and skills development; and
• Emphasised the importance for ASEAN to continue nurturing a resilient and dynamic financial ecosystem that facilitates seamless cross-border payments, attracts private investments and encourages innovative financing solutions. In this regard, advancing digital integration efforts will be fundamental in driving forward financial and economic growth and inclusion.

Yang Mulia Awang Haji Asrul Adrain bin Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr. Haji Ahmad, Acting Permanent Secretary (Fiscal I) at the Ministry of Finance and Economy and Yang Mulia Dayang Hajah Noorafidah binti Haji Sulaiman, Deputy Managing Director at the Brunei Darussalam Central Bank were also present during the Meeting.