BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Oct 4 (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): Integration efforts must be signified in Asean to ensure conducive business ecosystem to facilitate trade, including digital trade, foreign direct investments (FDIs) and private capital, said Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah on Sunday.
He also made these comments during the 6th Asean Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting (AFMGM) and Related Meetings via video conference on Friday (Oct 2).
Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew also highlighted the importance of macroeconomic stimulus in boosting economic activities, increasing employment, keeping companies afloat as well as revitalising trade and investment towards economic recovery post Covid-19. He added that linkages must be deepened among Asean member states and beyond.
The series of ministerial meetings started with a joint dialogue between ministers, Central Bank Governors, Asean Business Advisory Council, European Union (EU)-ASEAN Business Council and United States (US)-Asean Business Council.
Opportunities for the collaboration of public and private sector were discussed, with focus on several areas: Advancing Sustainable Finance in ASEAN; Digital Transformation in Financial Services for the Fourth Industrial Revolution; and Asean Financial Inclusion Solution.
During their plenary session, the AFMGM commended the progress in Asean’s regional financial cooperation under Vietnam’s 2020 Asean chairmanship themed "Cohesive and Responsive Asean".
The AFMGM welcomed the developments in the areas of financial integration and liberalisation; trade and investment facilitation; financial, payment and service connectivity; and financing-related matters.
They also recognised that extraordinary measures have been undertaken in mitigating the Covid-19 impacts and towards supporting economic recovery, and thereafter, reaffirmed that solidarity and cooperation are key for Asean to overcome the pandemic and restore regional growth.
Meanwhilem Brunei reported no new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday with the national tally of cases standing at 146.
It marked the 9th consecutive day without new cases since Sept. 24.
According to Brunei's Ministry of Health, no more recoveries were recorded, maintaining the total number of recovered cases at 142. There is still one active case being treated at the National Isolation Centre.
Meanwhile, currently there are 393 individuals who are undergoing mandatory isolation at the monitoring centers provided by the government, who have arrived in the country after traveling abroad.
There have been three deaths that resulted from Covid-19 in the country. - Borneo Bulletin/Asian News Network
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