BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei Darussalam reaffirmed its support for a rules-based multilateral trading system and stronger regional economic cooperation during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting held in Suzhou, China from May 22 to 23.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Datuk Seri Setia Dr Awang Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah, represented Brunei Darussalam at the meeting, which gathered trade and economic ministers from APEC economies.
During the discussions, the minister stressed the importance of maintaining open, resilient and secure supply chains amid ongoing geopolitical and geo-economic uncertainties, while reaffirming Brunei’s strong support for the World Trade Organisation (WTO)-centred multilateral trading system.
He also highlighted the need to advance regional economic integration through APEC initiatives such as the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), while recognising frameworks including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and Future for Investment and Trade Partnership as important foundations for future regional cooperation.
The minister further emphasised the importance of strengthening digital connectivity, interoperable systems, e-customs, paperless trading and digital infrastructure to support sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
He underscored the need to harness digital innovation and green opportunities to drive low-carbon transitions and build resilient supply chains, while welcoming stronger collaboration among governments, businesses and regional partners in areas such as technology transfer, skills development, innovation and sustainable infrastructure.
The meeting was held under the 2026 APEC theme, “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together”, with ministers reaffirming commitments to supply chain resilience and support for meaningful WTO reforms amid global economic uncertainties.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the Brunei minister also held bilateral meetings with Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu; New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment and Minister for Agriculture Todd McClay; and Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Horii Iwao, to discuss areas of mutual interest.
Also accompanying the Brunei delegation was Permanent Secretary (Economy, Trade and Industry) at the Ministry of Finance and Economy Dayang Dr May Fa’ezah Ahmad Ariffin, along with other officials from the ministry.
The APEC MRT Meeting was chaired by China’s Minister of Commerce and Secretary of the CPC Leadership Group of the Ministry of Commerce Wang Wentao. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
