- Yang Mulia Awang Muhammad Azizil Hakim bin Haji Brahim, Acting Controller of Customs, along with senior officers from the Royal Customs and Excise Department (RCED), Ministry of Finance attended the 35th Meeting of the ASEAN Directors-General of Customs held from 2 to 4 June 2026 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Dr. Kun Nhem, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister, Director-General of the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia, and attended by the representatives of all ASEAN Member States (AMS) and the ASEAN Secretariat.
- As the outgoing Chair of ASEAN Directors-General of Customs for the term of 2025-2026, Brunei Darussalam expressed its appreciation to all ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN Secretariat for their unwavering support and cooperation throughout its chairmanship. He remarked that ASEAN’s collective commitment towards customs modernisation, trade facilitation, digital transformation, and enforcement cooperation remains essential in supporting regional economic integration and strengthening ASEAN’s position within the global trading system. This further emphasized the need for ASEAN Customs to strengthen strategic cooperation, embrace innovation, and foster sustainable and inclusive growth to remain responsive to future challenges and continue facilitating legitimate trade and safeguarding its borders effectively.
- The meeting reviewed the progress of ASEAN Customs cooperation and deliberated on key initiatives aimed at strengthening regional customs integration, trade facilitation, customs modernization, digital transformation, enforcement cooperation, risk management, and capacity building. Amongst the issues discussed included enhancing supply chain resilience, facilitating legitimate trade, and leveraging emerging technologies aimed towards improving customs efficiency and effectiveness in an increasingly dynamic global trading environment.
- During the meeting, Yang Mulia Muhammad Azizil Hakim bin Haji Brahim also co-chaired the 24th ASEAN-China Customs Consultation together with Ms. Sun Meijun, Minister and Secretary of CPC Committee Member of the General Administration of Customs, the People’s Republic of China (GACC). The meeting noted updates on ASEAN-China trade and customs-related matters, along with the progress on ASEAN-China Customs Cooperation and proposals for future cooperation.
- Brunei Darussalam remains committed to strengthening regional customs cooperation and supporting the development of a modern, innovative, resilient, and integrated ASEAN Customs community that contributes to sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the region.
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Prepared by:
Royal Customs and Excise Department
Ministry of Finance
Brunei Darussalam
Reference: RCED/PR/1
Date: 5th June 2026