James Kon
More work needs to be done in bringing more depth and relevance in advocating the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (BAC) as the apex private sector body.
Legislative Council member and ASEAN BAC Chairperson 2021 Yang Berhormat Siti Rozaimeriyanty binti Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Abdul Rahman said this at the handover ceremony of ASEAN BAC chairmanship to Cambodia on Wednesday.
“As the pandemic seems to constantly find a way to evade defeat, the fight must continue. The dual challenge for ASEAN BAC in playing a more visible and effective role to save lives and livelihoods and bring about the foundation towards a green and sustainable economic recovery have been raised even higher,” she said.
Yang Berhormat Siti Rozaimeriyanty congratulated the incoming ASEAN BAC Chair Oknha Kith Meng of Cambodia and assured ASEAN BAC’s full commitment to support ASEAN BAC Cambodia’s 2022 chairmanship.
Brunei Darussalam officially handed over the ASEAN BAC Chairmanship to Cambodia during a ceremony organised by the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce. It was followed by the 91st ASEAN BAC Meeting.
According to the ASEAN BAC Brunei Secretariat, the event was attended in person by Cambodian Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Hok Sophea, as well as members of ASEAN BAC Brunei Haslina binti Haji Mohd Taib and Musa Adnin.
Attending virtually were Secretary of State of the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce Pich Rithi; a representative of Cambodian Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak and Chair of ASEAN Economic Ministers Le Quang Lan; Director of Market Integration who was representing ASEAN Secretary General Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi; Charge d’ Affaires of Brunei Darussalam Embassy in Cambodia Kelvin Ng Tien Loong; ASEAN BAC Council members from nine ASEAN economies, joint business councils, as well as national and international guests.
As the ASEAN BAC follows the ASEAN Leaders’ order of succession, President of Cambodia Chamber of Commerce Neak Oknha Kith Meng assumes the role of ASEAN BAC Chairmanship 2022 after receiveing the handover from Yang Berhormat Siti Rozaimeriyanty. Representing Neak Oknha Kith Meng was Cambodian Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Hok Sophea.
Neak Oknha Kith Meng emphasised that the situation with COVID-19 requires ASEAN member states to work closer and stronger together with the private sector toward economic recovery. He added that for his chairmanship, the ASEAN BAC had put together the theme and priorities in support of the government’s theme ‘ASEAN A.C.T: ASEAN Addressing Challenges Together’.
Neak Oknha Kith Meng commended and applauded Yang Berhormat Siti Rozaimeriyanty’s accomplishments during her term that has brought ASEAN BAC’s brand to a significant level.
After the handover ceremony, Neak Oknha Kith Meng chaired the 91st ASEAN BAC meeting in the afternoon, the first meeting of 2022.
Topics discussed were the adoption of summary record of 90th ASEAN BAC meeting, matters arising from the 90th meeting, adoption of 91st ASEAN BAC meeting agenda, themes and programmes during Cambodia’s chairmanship, ASEAN Secretariat updates, updates on legacy projects and updates on the cooperation with the Joint Business Council and other arising matters.
