Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy (Economy) Awang Khairuddin (centre) at the event. - Photo: Borneo Bulletin/ANN
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei Darussalam’s commitment to strengthening economic resilience through sustainability and innovation took the spotlight on Tuesday (Oct 14) as the 5th International Conference on Business, Economics and Finance (ICBEF 2025) opened at The Empire Brunei.
Held under the theme ‘Economic Resilience through Sustainable Business and Innovation’, the two-day conference was officiated by Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy (Economy) Datuk Seri Paduka Awang Khairuddin Abdul Hamid.
Co-organised by the UBD School of Business and Economics (UBDSBE), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and Hibiscus EP (Brunei) BV, ICBEF 2025 brings together over 250 participants from government ministries, private institutions, and international universities.
UBDSBE Dean Dr Wardah Azimah Sumardi, in her welcoming remarks, underscored the importance of the conference as a regional hub for knowledge exchange.
She said the conference’s theme is particularly timely as economies navigate rapid technological disruption, climate change, and shifting global markets.
“Resilience has become an essential quality—not only for businesses but for economies as a whole,” she said. “For a small and open economy like Brunei Darussalam, resilience means strengthening capacity to diversify, digitalise and build sustainable enterprises in line with Wawasan Brunei 2035.”
Nearly 70 research papers will be presented across 20 parallel sessions covering diverse themes, including digital innovation, artificial intelligence, circular economy, green transition, and sustainable finance.
Dr Wardah added that UBDSBE remains committed to advancing impactful knowledge through research, education, and engagement — guided by its AACSB accreditation and as a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME).
Hibiscus EP (Brunei) BV Corporate Service Manager Harina Ramlee also highlighted the importance of university-industry partnerships in building resilience and developing future-ready talent.
She said Hibiscus Brunei and UBD are collaborating to strengthen talent development, research and innovation, and contribute to national growth through practical programmes and applied research.
These include postgraduate scholarships tied to real-world industry challenges, joint sustainability research with UBD’s Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER), and participation in youth leadership programmes such as FLY, UBD Leadership Summer, and Inofest.
The opening ceremony also featured a keynote address by Professor Jinhua Zhao, David J. Nolan Dean of the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University, titled ‘Renewable Energies in the Era of Global Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities’.
He explored the evolving relationship between public policy, private sector innovation, and the global energy transition, underscoring the need for coordinated action to meet climate targets.
A panel discussion followed on ‘Building Sustainable Digital Innovation Ecosystems’, featuring Professor Zhao; Allen On Hsien Yung, Director of Industry and Business Ecosystem at the Ministry of Finance and Economy; and Muhd Hafiz Haslen, Chief Executive Officer of the National Digital Payments Network. The session was moderated by Associate Professor Dr M Muzamil Naqshbandi of UBDSBE.
The conference continues today at UBDSBE, UBD, and will conclude with a conference dinner and closing ceremony at the Royal Brunei Polo and Riding Club, where the Best Paper Awards will be announced.
ICBEF 2025 is supported by Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB), Universitas Padjadjaran (Indonesia), Silpakorn University (Thailand), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (Malaysia), and GoMamam as sponsor, with Hibiscus EP (Brunei) BV as co-organiser and main partners. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
