Universiti Brunei Darussalam School of Business and Economic (UBD SBE) organised the 4th International Conference on Business, Economics, and Finance (ICBEF), which was officiated by Pg Datin Seri Paduka Hjh Zety Sufina Pg Dato Paduka Haji Sani, Deputy Minister of Finance at the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Brunei Darussalam
The conference, which was held at the Senate Room, Chancellor Hall, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), carried the theme ‘Sustainable Green Future’. The event was a continuation of the previous three conferences and aims to provide a platform for discussion on issues relevant to the theme, especially challenges faced by businesses regarding climate change and other future uncertainties with possible solutions. It was attended by a diverse audience from the public and private sectors, encompassing academics, practitioners, policymakers, and research students.
Highlighting the first day of the conference on the 18th of September with a special Keynote Address from Professor Peter Newman, John Curtin Distinguished Professor at the Sustainability Policy Institute and Faculty of Humanities, Curtin University Australia. Professor Newman’s keynote address, titled “Business, Economics, and Finance in a Turbulent Transition to Net Zero”, shed light on critical issues and challenges pivotal for researchers, policymakers, businesses, and the general community.
The international conference continues with several parallel sessions on important issues such as Entrepreneurial Sustainability, Green and Sustainable Investment, Governance and Leadership, Consumer Behaviour and Environmental Sustainability, Circular Economy, Digitalisation and Finance, Tourism and Hospitality, and Corporate Governance and Ethics. A total of 28 papers were presented with representatives from local and international institutions, as well as public and private think tanks. The 1st day also featured a panel discussion to share their views and opinions on “The Role of Financial Regulators and Institutions in Achieving Sustainable Green Future”. The panellists include Yang Mulia Professor Peter Newman, John Curtin Distinguished Professor at the Sustainability Policy Institute and Faculty of Humanities, Curtin University Australia, Yang Mulia Puan Nurul Hazwani Binti Saifulbahri, Senior manager in Financial Development at the Brunei Darussalam Central Bank, and Yang Mulia Puan, Nur Ezza binti Hj Mohd Han, Acting Head of Institutional Asset Management of BIBD Securities.
The respected panelists shared their insights on the pivotal role of financial regulators and institutions in climate change financing followed by a question-and-answer session. The session was moderated by Dr Sazali Zainal Abidin, Assistant Professor in Accounting and Finance, UBDSBE.
The 1st day of the conference ended with a conference dinner at The Rizqun International Hotel with certificates of appreciation were presented to the Collaborators and Sponsors that made the event possible. Collaborators and supporters include The Faculty of Economics and Business Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (Indonesia), The Faculty of Management Science, Silpakorn University (Thailand), The Ministry of Finance and Economy, Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB), BIBD Securities Sdn Bhd, Brunei Institute of Leadership and Islamic Finance (BILIF), Brunei Climate Change Secretariat, Prime Minister’s Office, and SDG Secretariat, the Prime Minister’s Office, Brunei Methanol Corporation, Ghanim International Corporation and BR-Kelvin Pong Services.
The second day of the conference featured a Keynote Speech by Dr Hajah May Faezah Haji Ahmad Ariffin, the Permanent Secretary (Economy, Trade and Industry) at The Ministry of Finance and Economy, Brunei Darussalam, followed by a panel discussion on the topic “Shaping Brunei’s Socio-Economic Future”. The panelists included Dr Noor Rahman, Chief Executive Officer at Ghanim International Corporation, Noraini Haji Mohamad Jamudin, Acting Head of Manpower Planning and Employment Secretariat at the Prime Minister’s Office, and Haji Mohd Khairul Zaki Haji Mohidin, Assistant Executive Director, Head of FinTech, Brunei Darussalam Central Bank. The respective panelists shared their views and opinions of Brunei’s socio-economic outlook followed by a question-and-answer session, moderated by Pg Dr Hajah Norulazidah Pg Haji Omar Ali, Lecturer in Economics, UBD SBE.
The second day also featured parallel sessions with a total of 28 papers covering the following themes: Organisational Performance and Dynamics in HEIs, Economic Policy and Development, Halal Industry and Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Performance, Environment, Social, and Governance, Digital Transformation, Organisational Excellence and Sustainability, and Monetary and Financial System.
The conference ended with an award presentation ceremony for best papers in Business, Economics, Accounting and Finance, and Entrepreneurship categories.