| Aziz Idris in Nanning, China |
LEADERS from China and Asean member states officially launched the 13th instalment of the China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO) and the China-Asean Business and Investment (CABIS) yesterday at the new Osmanthus Hall of the Nanning International Convention & Exhibition Centre.
The 13th CAEXPO, themed on ‘Jointly building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Forging an Even Closer China-Asean Community of Common Destiny’, works to facilitate all parties concerned in concluding new cooperation projects related to international industrial capacity cooperation, connectivity, China-Asean Information Harbor and international industrial parks, obtaining keen attention and full support from China, the Asean member countries and economies beyond the China-Asean region.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of China-Asean dialogue relations and the first year after the Asean Community was built and efforts were launched to upgrade the China-Asean FTA, which is also important for implementing the Belt and Road initiative.
Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II jointly inaugurated both events with leaders from China and the Asean member countries, including Zhang Gaoli, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council of China; Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of Vietnam, the country of honour of the 13th CAEXPO; Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia; U Myint Swe, Vice President of Myanmar, Sonexay Siphandone, Deputy Prime Minister of Lao PDR; Prajin Juntong, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand; Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan, Second Minister of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia; Cynthia Aguilar Villar, Senator of the Philippines; Dr Koh Poh Koon, Minister of State, Ministry of National Development & Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore; Ir Arlinda, Director General of National Export Development of Ministry of Trade of Indonesia; Le Luong Minh, Secretary-General of Asean; Peng Qinghua, Secretary of the CPC Guangxi Committee; Zhong Shan, International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce of China; and Chen Zhou, Vice Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.
A section of Bruneian vendors and officials at the 13th CAEXPO. – AZIZ IDRIS
The 15 leaders then rolled the handles to start the “engines of cooperation”. A pair of huge “wings of cooperation” unfolded. “Chips” were inserted into the “engines of cooperation”, and the light of energy shined immediately. On the main screen and the two side screens, gears used in traditional industry turned into digital ones, which converged energy and drove the Beidou Satellite and the Wings of Cooperation.
The opening ceremony symbolised the embodying that China and Asean will forge an interactive synergy to build the China-Asean Community of Common Destiny and upgrade the bilateral cooperation in production capacity to an upper end of modern industrial chain by giving full play to information and smart technology.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Abdul Rishad Badiutheen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka, the special guest country of the 13th CAEXPO, ministers of relevant ministries and commissions of China and Asean, representatives of diplomatic corps of China, Asean member countries and neighboring countries, presidents and chairpersons of chambers of commerce and trade associations, renowned entrepreneurs and eminent figures of different professions with the likes of Jack Ma, Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group.
This will be Brunei Darussalam’s 13th participation in the CAEXPO and it will be exhibiting at three pavilions; the City of Charm Pavilion, the Investment and Industrial Park Pavilion, and the Commodity Pavilion. All three pavilions are situated at the official CAEXPO venue Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Centre (NICEC).
The three different pavilions allow the country to showcase different opportunities that the country can offer in terms of tourism, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) opportunities, and potential partnerships with local SMEs.
City of Charm Pavilion represented by Hajah Nur Fariza Munyati binti Haji Abdul Aji, Tourism Officer showcases the best of Brunei Darussalam, highlighting three primary products of tourism namely, Kampong Ayer, Bandar Seri Begawan and Temburong.
The Investment and Industrial Park Pavilion which is a new additional pavilion for Brunei Darussalam showcases information on ‘Invest in Brunei Darussalam’ ranging from the country’s favourable tax climate, co-investment partnership, friendly and supportive business environment, attractive industrial sites, among others.
The Commodity Pavilion showcases the products and services of 11 companies representing different sectors from cosmetics, food, medicine, and education. For this year’s expo the companies selected were shortlisted from a registration process that was determined by the ETF Task Force under the Prime Minister’s Office.
The 11 companies representing Brunei Darussalam are Amal Hadizat Enterprise, Betye Beauty & Health Establishment, Eman Enterprise, Federation of Brunei Malay Entrepreneurs, Ghanim International Corporation Sdn Bhd, International School Brunei (ISB), Jerudong International School (JIS), Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC), Seri Pekatan Sdn Bhd, Royal Brunei Airlines (RB), and Sahamada Corporation Sdn Bhd.
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