BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Australia’s newly appointed Business Champion for Brunei Darussalam, Lisa Rodgers PSM, has concluded her inaugural visit to the Sultanate, reinforcing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and education.
Rodgers, who is also chief executive officer of the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), was in Brunei from June 29 to July 1 as part of efforts to support Australia’s engagement under Invested: Australia’s South-East Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
According to the Australian High Commission in a press release, during her visit, she met several senior government officials, including the Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Dato Seri Setia Dr Abdul Manaf Metussin; Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Seri Setia Erywan aji Mohd Yusof; Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Dr Romaizah Mohd Salleh; and Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Dato Seri Setia Paduka Awang Mohammed Riza Mohammed Yunos.
Discussions focused on strengthening economic, trade and investment cooperation between Brunei and Australia, particularly in areas supporting Brunei’s economic diversification under Wawasan Brunei 2035. A key emphasis was placed on the role of Australia’s education sector in advancing skills development and supporting food security priorities.
Rodgers also engaged with key business stakeholders, including the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB), Darussalam Assets, Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA), and CAE Brunei Training Centre, to explore potential avenues for Australian investment and collaboration.
In addition, she delivered remarks at the Digital Economy Forum 2026, where she spoke on “Building Brunei’s Digital Skills Pipeline: Education, AI Literacy, and Workforce Readiness”. She highlighted the importance of equipping the workforce with future-ready skills to support Brunei’s ongoing digital transformation.
Rodgers noted that her visit builds on the momentum of the Joint Statement on Energy and Food Security in Brunei Darussalam, signed on April 15, 2026, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Australia’s Business Champions initiative is designed to deepen commercial ties between Australia and key South-East Asian partners, including Brunei Darussalam. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
