BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 7 May 2015 – A forum to create awareness and understanding of the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA) among investors and businesses was conducted at Brunei International Convention Centre, Berakas, Brunei Darussalam yesterday. The forum was opened by Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi, Permanent Secretary of Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and attended by participants from the government, private sector, as well as representatives from ASEAN-BAC and APEC-BAC of Brunei Darussalam, Chamber of Commerce and the media.
With the theme “Transforming Investment in Brunei Darussalam Through ACIA,” the forum discussed the salient features of ACIA and its potential benefits to Brunei Darussalam and the region, as well as the experiences of investors in Brunei Darussalam and ASEAN. The Forum was followed by a more in-depth seminar on ACIA for government officials of Brunei Darussalam.
The forum and seminar were jointly organised by the ASEAN Secretariat and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam, in coordination with the World Trade Institute (WTI) – University of Berne, Switzerland and supported by the Australian Government through the ASEAN Australia Development Cooperation Programme Phase II (AADCP II). This is the fourth forum to promote the ACIA, which was previously held in Kuala Lumpur in March 2013, Manila in January 2014, and Jakarta in April 2015.
The ACIA Guidebook for Businesses and Investors in ASEAN was distributed during the forum and can be accessed from this link.