ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn, who is in the country for a two-day working visit, met several Cabinet ministers and discussed matters ranging from economic, finance, environment, communications and international affairs.
The ASEAN Secretariat said Dr Kao met 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 at the Ministry of Finance and Economy.
They discussed issues related to intra-ASEAN trade, ASEAN’s digital transformation under the Bandar Seri Begawan Roadmap, as well as the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The secretary-general also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof where they discussed issues related to ASEAN Community building and ASEAN’s external relations, as well as exchanged views on regional and international issues.
He also met Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha and discussed the progress of the transport sector, connectivity, smart cities development and digital transformation in ASEAN.
The secretary-general, meanwhile, discussed the latest developments and progress of ASEAN’s cooperation in the agriculture, forestry and tourism sectors, which play a crucial role in driving the regional economy forward as well as in promoting resilient and sustainable development with Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin.
He also held a bilateral meeting with Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar and discussed ASEAN’s Community building activities to achieve the vision of a healthy, caring and sustainable ASEAN, particularly in enhancing cooperation in tackling mental health and non-communicable diseases.
Dr Kao also held a roundtable discussion with research institutes and think tanks based in the Sultanate to discuss ASEAN’s priorities and initiatives, particularly in the areas of traditional and non-traditional security, as well as exchanged views on regional and global developments. – Azlan Othman
