The British High Commission in Brunei Darussalam hosted the UK-Brunei Business Forum and Networking Lunch at the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Tuesday, fostering bilateral trade and investment opportunities between the two nations.
The event brought together UK trade representatives, businesses, and key stakeholders from Brunei’s public and private sectors to explore potential collaborations across pivotal sectors, including education, clean energy, digital technology, and maritime logistics, which align closely with Brunei’s development priorities.
Deputy Trade Commissioner for Southeast Asia Rhiannon Harries, led the UK Trade Mission to Brunei, which included representatives from renowned organisations such as Cambridge University Press & Assessment, Scottish Development International, Pearson, Newcastle University, and uTalk. The forum opened with welcoming remarks by Deputy British High Commissioner to Brunei Catherine Pochkhanavala-Cleeve, followed by an address by Harries.
Key sessions included a presentation on Brunei’s investment opportunities by Acting CEO of the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) Daniel Leong, an outline of Brunei’s Digital Masterplan by representatives from the Ministry of Transport and Info-Comms (MTIC), a discussion on opportunities under the CPTPP by Richard Colley, Director of Trade at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, and an introduction to Scottish Development International (SDI) by Senior Trade Specialist Sanson Selvanathar.
Participants engaged in panel discussions and presentations highlighting Brunei’s potential as a strategic gateway to the ASEAN region. The forum concluded with a networking lunch, providing an opportunity for participants to establish connections and lay the groundwork for future partnerships.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Pochkhanavala-Cleeve said that the UK-Brunei Business Forum reflects the shared commitment to deepening economic collaboration, adding that the strong interest from both nations demonstrates the untapped potential to advance trade and investment in key sectors critical to sustainable development. The forum reaffirmed the UK’s dedication to strengthening trade relationships in Southeast Asia and underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving sustainable economic growth for both nations. – Fadley Faisal
