Asia Asset Management (AAM), in collaboration with Brunei Institute of Leadership & Islamic Finance (BILIF), and with support from Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) and Brunei Capital Market Association (BCMA), hosted “The 2nd ASEAN Forum: The Future of Finance” on Tuesday, 3 September 2024 at The Empire Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan.
The event was held in conjunction with the 16th Annual Brunei Darussalam Roundtable and was attended by local and international industry practitioners, as well as invited members of the public.
The forum, themed “The Future of Finance,” aims to explore key themes that are currently shaping the financial landscape and will have far-reaching implications for businesses and society. Amid the accelerating 4th Industrial Revolution, the adoption of new technologies, including the increasing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), alongside evolving global trade dynamics and intensifying climate challenges, are new forces now underway that will have a bearing on the world of finance. In this context, discussions also centred on Islamic finance, a vital component of the financial sector, with a focus on its issues, challenges, and progress within the ASEAN region.
The event commenced with a welcoming remark by Mr. Tan Lee Hock, Founder and Publisher, AAM. In his remarks, Mr. Tan emphasised the necessity for stakeholders to stay informed about the critical trends and transformations reshaping finance in the digital era. He added that areas such as digital assets, pensions, sustainability, climate risk, inflation, and geopolitical challenges are undergoing significant shifts that will influence both current and future financial landscapes.
The event continued with a keynote address by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister at The Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II. He highlighted that amidst a strong post-pandemic recovery, the global landscape is experiencing shifts in major economies, high inflation and challenges including supply chain issues and geopolitical tensions. He emphasised that in order to navigate this complex environment, business, investors and policymakers will have to be adaptable, proactive and well informed. In this context, he highlighted Brunei’s initiatives on adapting to advance its sustainability goals including updating its Debenture Issuance Guidelines to align with ASEAN Sustainability-Linked Bonds Standards as well as promoting green and sustainable bonds in line with the ASEAN Capital Market Forum’s Roadmap.
The forum then continued with an award presentation for the “Most Improved Pension Fund (ASEAN)” to Tabung Amanah Pekerja (TAP), Brunei Darussalam.
The event was followed by presentations entitled “Vietnam’s Capital Markets: Assessing the Opportunities” by Nguyen Le Ngoc Khoa, Deputy Head of Research, Korea Investment Management, Vietnam; “ASEAN PE and VC: Drivers of Growth” by Khailee Ng, Managing Partner, 500 Global, Malaysia; and “Central Bank Reserves Management: A New Perspective” by Rahmatullah Sjamsudin, Executive Director, Reserve Management Department, Bank Indonesia, Indonesia.
This event also featured a panel discussion with the theme “ASEAN Pension Funds Roundtable”, featuring Songpol Chevapanyaroj, Secretary General, Government Pension Fund, Thailand; Awang Haji Mohd Adfarul bin Haji Maz Adanan, Managing Director, TAP; and Shaz Islam, Principal, Mercer Asia, Singapore, moderated by Tan Lee Hock.
Other panel discussions included “Investing in Alternatives in a Period of Transition” moderated by Tan Lee Hock, who was joined Igor Evangelij, Principal, Mercer, Singapore; Muhammad Hanifah bin Puasa, Acting Head of Multi-Asset and Commodities, Alternative Assets Division; Khailee Ng; and Jean Chung, Chief Portfolio Manager, GICAM Asia Debt Opportunities Fund, Tokyo.
The event also featured a fireside chat session on “Waqf Financing: The Road Map Ahead” between Raja Shahrul Azrain Raja Aman, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Kenanga Islamic Investors Berhad, Malaysia, and Dr. Amni Suhailah Abarahan, Lecturer at Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA). Additionally, a session titled “ESG and Sustainability” was held, featuring a discussion between Pengiran Aki Ismasufian bin Pengiran Haji Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Brunei, and Dayang Ida Nazrena binti Haji Bujang, Senior Manager at BILIF.
The forum concluded with a closing remark by Afero Eswandy Mohamad, Acting Chief Executive Officer, In his remarks, he emphasised the significance of ongoing discussions on the key themes explored at the forum to foster collaboration and innovation. In that regard, he expressed his optimism that this ongoing engagement will enable participants to drive transformation and achieve a lasting impact in their respective fields.
BILIF, as the Centre of Excellence for the finance industry in Brunei Darussalam, continues to pursue its mission to shape future leaders, experts, and innovators, particularly in the areas of Islamic finance and leadership through immersive programmes and world-class events. For more information on BILIF, please visit the BILIF website at www.bilif.com.bn or BILIF’s Instagram @BILIF.bn.
Press Release Siaran Akhbar