The Legislative Council (Legco) attended the 12th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Caucus, hosted by the Parliament of Singapore.  The meeting was held online at the LegCo Building, Jalan Dewan Majlis.

Nine Members of AIPA including Brunei Darussalam attended the meeting.  LegCo member, Yang Berhormat Nik Hafimi binti Abdul Haadii led the Brunei Delegation and was joined by several LegCo members.

The members discussed the implementation status of the resolutions for the 41st AIPA General Assembly passed last year.

Yang Berhormat Nik Hafimi said the country has implemented various ways including the national development plan targetting involvement of related ministries.

The meeting also touched on the issue of 'Strengthening Supply Chain Resilience and Enhancing Trade Connectivity'. LegCo member Yang Berhormat Ong Tiong Oh stated the importance for Brunei to continuously develop and diversify its economy, and not to depend on oil and gas, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic; which will spur the country to be self-sufficient in essential food with the use of efficient technology and to open up new business opportunities in developing a green economy. It is also part of the country's efforts to strengthen the supply chain and enhance trade relations through its participation and partnership with members in the ASEAN region and globally in open trade policies.

Yang Berhormat Nik Hafimi also stated the importance of ASEAN Integration Standardisation to focus on cross-border supply chain including the exchange of data and procurement that needs to be improved especially during the pandemic.

The meeting passed the Official Reports on the 12th AIPA Caucus Meeting unanimously.  The reports will be discussed for approval during the 42nd AIPA General Assembly Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) that will be hosted virtually by LegCo of Brunei Darussalam in August.

(News Source: Borneo Bulletin)