Kota Kinabalu: The National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Brunei Darussalam (NCCIBD) formed a Brunei Darussalam-Sabah Joint Business Council with the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI), Sabah branch.
It marked a major step forward in working together to elevate business and investment between the sultanate and Sabah.
High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam Dato’ Raja Reza bin Raja Zaib Shah was guest of honour at the signing ceremony at NCCIBD office at Bandar Seri Begawan.
Also present were an entourage from Sabah who was there for BIMP-EAGA meetings and events.
Signing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on behalf of Brunei were NCCIBD President Haji Abdul Saman bin Haji Ahmad and Francis Lee Chung Keng, while MICCI Vice Chairman Datuk Susan Chang and Datuk Jade Koh represented Sabah.
The signing was witnessed by NCCIBD Secretary General Haji Abdul Halim bin Haji Saim.
Pengiran Dr Haris bin Pengiran Duraman of Brunei and Datuk Hajah Rosmawati Haji Lasuki and Matthew Loh of Sabah were also present to witness the significant event.
The agreement reflected the culmination of negotiations, cooperation and shared vision of fostering cross border collaboration and advancing economic cooperation between the business community in Brunei and Sabah.
Haji Abdul Saman in expressing enthusiasm about the partnership, said the agreement would enhance the partnership between the business community in the sultanate and Sabah for a stronger Borneo Economic Community (BEC).
The ceremony was followed by a presentation on the BEC formalised at the second Borneo Business Round-table in Jakarta on September 5.
The BEC aimed to function as an inclusive and sustainability-driven business association for enterprises in the island and professionals in emerging fields, such as those involved in the gig economy, content creation and remote work.
“The goal would be realised through initiatives including marketplaces and programmes designed to reduce entry barriers for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), rural and social enterprises as well as digital nomads and skilled individuals.
As an enterprise-driven initiative, BEC provides inclusive opportunities for businesses in Borneo,” it said.
