BRUNEI ISLAMIC ECONOMY CONFERENCE (BIE-CON) 2026
Brunei Institute of Leadership & Islamic Finance (BILIF), with the support of Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB), and in collaboration with its partners Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB), and Track & Roll Sdn Bhd, kicked off the 2-day “Brunei Islamic Economy Conference (BIE-Con) 2026” on 24–25 June 2026 at Mulia Hotel, Bandar Seri Begawan.
Held under the theme “Catalysing a High-Performance Islamic Economy”, the two-day conference aimed to highlight the role of the Islamic economy as a strategic driver for sustainable, resilient and inclusive national development. The conference also served as a platform to encourage meaningful discussions and collaboration among policymakers, industry leaders, Syariah scholars, academia, regulators and institutions across the Islamic economy ecosystem.
In attendance as the Guest of Honour was Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies and Minister at the Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB).
The event commenced with a welcoming remark by Hajah Rashidah binti Haji Sabtu, Managing Director, BDCB and as the Chairperson of BILIF Bhd. In her remarks, Hajah Rashidah highlighted the role of Islamic finance, halal industries, social finance, technology, and innovation in driving sustainable and inclusive growth. Forum discussions will focus on investment opportunities, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and the role of zakat and waqf in socio-economic development. Through stronger collaboration, BIE-Con 2026 aims to strengthen Brunei Darussalam’s position as a regional platform for Islamic economy development, investment, and strategic partnerships.
The event continued with a keynote address by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies and Minister at the Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry as Chairman of BDCB. He highlighted that the Islamic economy extends beyond halal products and Shariah-compliant finance, encompassing a comprehensive ecosystem built on productive economic activity, ethical values, and sustainable development. He emphasised that its success depends on the effective integration and collaboration of key sectors, including Islamic finance, halal industries, tourism, technology, education, and social finance. By working together, these sectors can create stronger synergies, enhance innovation and competitiveness, and generate sustainable value, positioning the Islamic economy as a catalyst for long-term socio-economic growth, resilience, and shared prosperity.
Over the two days, participants engaged in high-level discussions, presentations and strategic panel sessions covering key themes related to the Islamic economy such as halal industry, Islamic finance, sustainability, technology and regional economic opportunities.
Among the highlighted sessions include: Leveraging on the Halal Waves: Fast Tracking the Growth of Islamic Economy; Islamic Economy & Regional Outlook 2026: Implications for Businesses; Indonesia’s Syariah Economy Blueprint: Lessons for an Integrated Ecosystem; Building a Resilient Islamic Economy: Sustainability, Security & Strategic Production; Islamic Finance: Building Economy or Product Placements, Competing in the Global Economy: What Must Change Now? and many more
The conference featured speakers and panellists from Brunei Darussalam and abroad, representing leading institutions and organisations from the Islamic finance, halal economy, investment, academia and policy sectors such as Dr Haji Hairul Azrin bin Haji Besar, Member BILIF Board of Directors; Faiq Najeeb, , Jeddah; Assoc. Professor Dr Eskandar Shah bin Mohd Rasid, from ISRA International Consulting Sdn Bhd, INCEIF University, Malaysia; Dr Sutan Emir Hidayat, Pengarah, Komitee Nasional Ekonomi dan Keuangan Syariah (KNEKS), Afdhal Aliasar, Senior Partner, Dinar Standard, Indonesia and many others.
BIE-Con 2026 sought to explore opportunities in the global Islamic economy, promote innovation and digitalisation, strengthen therole of Islamic finance in supporting real economic activities and encourage collaboration towards building resilient and future-ready Islamic economic ecosystems.
This forum is one of the many events organised by BILIF in support of the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition (MYCE) 2026, organised by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and marks the sixth consecutive year BILIF has participated since 2021.
As the Centre of Excellence for the finance industry in Brunei Darussalam, BILIF remains committed to developing future leaders, experts and innovators through impactful programmes, strategic collaborations and world-class events, particularly in the areas of Islamic finance and leadership.
For more information on BIE-Con 2026 and BILIF’s initiatives, please visit BILIF’s official website at www.bilif.com.bn or follow BILIF on Instagram at BILIF.bn.