Commercial and people-to-people ties between Brunei Darussalam and Hong Kong continue to grow with bilateral trade in goods recording USD67 million in 2023, representing an annual average growth of over 11 per cent since 2019. High-level exchanges also remained active.
This was underscored by Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Jakarta (HKETO Jakarta) Libera Cheng during a Chinese New Year dinner to celebrate the Year of the Snake at a hotel.
The director-general also highlighted the legal co-operation between Brunei Darussalam and Hong Kong.
She said, “Our shared common law legacy has laid a solid foundation for legal co-operation.
During his visit to Brunei in September 2024, the secretary for justice met with leaders of the legal sector to advance collaboration on dispute avoidance and resolution pursuant to the memorandum of cooperation signed earlier. With the establishment of the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy in November 2024, we welcome legal talent from Belt and Road countries including Brunei to leverage this platform for deepening exchanges with Hong Kong and other jurisdictions.”
Cheng also introduced measures under the 2024 Policy Address for strengthening people-to-people connection between Hong Kong and ASEAN, such as cultivating a Muslim-friendly tourism environment and providing self-service immigration clearance for invited persons from ASEAN member countries.
“We will continue to maintain close liaison with ASEAN member countries including Brunei to facilitate bilateral flow of our peoples,” she said.
Hosted by HKETO Jakarta, some 130 guests from the local government, business, academic, cultural and media sectors attended the event including Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Brunei Darussalam Wang Haitao, former consul-general of Brunei in Hong Kong Ainatol Zahayu Mohammad, and Director of Malaysia of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council Hoh Jee Eng.
Law Society of Brunei Darussalam President Haji Mohammad Zainidi bin Haji Abdul Hamid; National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Brunei Darussalam Secretary General Haji Abdul Halim bin Haji Saim; Hong Kong-Malaysia Business Association President Dato’ Dixon Chew; and senior representatives from other major local business chambers were also present.
Brunei Darussalam was the first stop as HKETO Jakarta will continue to host events in ASEAN member countries under its purview to celebrate Chinese New Year in the coming weeks. – James Kon
