​The 21th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) was held from 24th to 28th September 2024 at Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Centre (NICEC), Nanning, People’s Republic of China. It was officiated by His Excellency Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. Brunei Darussalam delegation was headed by Dr Hajah May Fa’ezah binti Ahmad Ariffin, Permanent Secretary (Economy, Trade and Industry), Ministry of Finance and Economy (MOFE). Also in attendance were the President and members of National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Brunei Darussalam (NCCIBD) and BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC). 

Under this year’s main theme “Upholding Amity, Sincerity, Mutual Benefit and Inclusiveness for Common Development, Creating a Diamond Crown New Future - Promoting Development of a China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 and High-Quality Growth of This Region”, ASEAN and China continue to build strategic partnership and strengthened understanding and trust through mutual respect among business and industry leaders. 

 A total of seventeen (17) companies including Government-Link Companies (GLC), Statutory Body and travel agents from Brunei Darussalam participated in the CAEXPO. Brunei Darussalam also organized the Brunei National Promotion Conference and Business Matching sessions whereby Mr. Daniel Leong, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Brunei Economic Development Board delivered presentation, which attracted around 100 potential investors. 

Dr Hajah May Fa’ezah binti Ahmad Ariffin also had the opportunity to meet with His Excellency Huang Junhua, Vice Chairman of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Guangxi Committee. She highlighted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1991, investment and bilateral trade between both countries increased and have contributed to the development and transformation of Brunei Darussalam’s economy. In addition, cooperation in Brunei-Guangxi Economic Corridor (BGEC) over the years have seen positive progress through various cooperation projects including Muara Port Company (MPC) and MPC’s subsidiary, Muara International Fish Landing (MIFL).