Acting MOFAT holds meeting with Philippines Presidential Adviser

Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, held a meeting with the Republic of Philippines Presidential Adviser, His Excellency Secretary Hermogenes C Esperon Junior.  The meeting took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Bandar Seri Begawan.  Secretary Esperon is the Adviser to the Philippines President in the Peace Process currently taking place between the Philippines Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Brunei Darussalam has been sending an observer team deployed under the International Monitoring Team in Mindanao to help monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.  His Excellency is in the country on a two-day visit.

Source: Brunei Government Website, June 26, 2008

His Majesty and British Premier discuss wide range of current topics

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Gordon Brown have held a meeting at Number 10 Downing Street, London.

During the meeting, both leaders discussed a wide range of current topics including bilateral relations, defence and trade.  On education, they agreed to offer reciprocal scholarships focused on fostering understanding between different cultures.  His Majesty also took the opportunity to update Prime Minister Gordon Brown on progress to safeguard Borneo’s rainforest under the ‘Heart of Borneo’ initiative and expressed appreciation for the support given by the United Kingdom.  His Majesty also expressed Brunei Darussalam’s support for the ‘Millennium Development Goals Call to Action’.

Also present at the meeting were the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng and Brunei Darussalam’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, His Excellency Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Maidin bin Pengiran Haji Hashim. 

Source: Brunei Government Website, June 25, 2008

Crown Prince grants audience to outgoing Ambassador of France

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Tuesday consented to receive in audience His Excellency Mr. Patrick Bonneville, the outgoing Ambassador of France to Brunei Darussalam.  The audience ceremony took place at Istana Nurul Iman.  His Excellency had been Ambassador of France to Brunei Darussalam since August 2005.

Also present during the audience was a Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Abu Bakar.

Source: Brunei Government Website, June 25, 2008

Ministry of Communications targets 10% output from ICT Sector

For Brunei Darussalam, it is the aspiration of the Ministry of Communications to achieve a targeted 10 percent contribution from the ICT Sector to the overall contribution of non-oil sector in Gross Domestic Product, GDP growth.  It is undeniably one of the pillars supporting economic development, and an important sector in encouraging innovations and creativities among local talents.  The matter was highlighted by the Minister of Communications, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Abu Bakar at the launch of the “Business Software Alliance”, BSA, on Software Asset Management Seminar, Tuesday.  The function took place at the Empire Hotel and Country Club in Jerudong.

The Minister of Communications further stressed the need to educate the public and raise their awareness on the importance of intellectual Property Rights, or IPR.  The Pehin affirmed that IPR is important in the nation’s effort to attract as many foreign investors for the country to advance further towards an education-based economy.  He said with sufficient protection for IPR, software developers and investors would be more confident and assured to invest in Brunei Darussalam.  The seminar on optimisation with good governance and staying compliant with Software Asset management, SAM, held for the first time in the country, was organised jointly with the Attorney General’s Chambers, Authority for Info-Communications Technology Industry, AiTi, of the Ministry of Communications, Royal Brunei Police Force and Brunei Darussalam International Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

A representative from the Attorney General’s Chambers, Nur-al-ain binti Dr Haji Abdullah made her presentation on copyright laws with the assistance of copyright holders in providing the necessary expertise in supporting a legal case.  Syed Azmal bin Syed Ali from the Royal Brunei Police Force, and Mr. Wallace Goh from AiTi, also spoke, focusing on Intellectual Property related topics in promoting greater protection for IPR. 

Source: Brunei Government Website, June 25, 2008

Myanmar and China's Humanitarian Aid Funds continue to receive contributions

The Myanmar Typhoon Nargis Humanitarian Fund, and China’s Earthquake Aid Fund, established on the 17th of May was meant to collect cash donations from citizens and residents in Brunei Darussalam.  The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Dato Paduka Haji Jemat bin Haji Ampal highlighted the matter at the presentation of the contributions to the funds, Tuesday.  The Permanent Secretary who is also the co-chairman of the funds specified that the committee is made of a number of people representing government agencies, the private sector and non-governmental organisations.  Receipt of donations to the funds will close on the 16th of August.  To date, the funds have collected $71,179.35.  Of the total, $48,354 came through SMS.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Retired Major General Pehin Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohammad was present.  At the function, the Minister also received donations towards the Myanmar Typhoon Nargis Humanitarian Fund, and China’s Earthquake Aid Fund.  The Women’s Council gave $1,000 and another $1,176 came from the Peers Guidance Scheme of the Sixth Form Centre.  The event took place at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.  

Source: Brunei Government Website, June 25, 2008

Brunei is important partner of Canada in various sectors

Canada and Brunei Darussalam continue to work together through various international Organizations such as APEC, ASEAN, the Commonwealth, the World Trade Organization and United Nations.  Brunei’s participation has been significant as demonstrated in Brunei Darussalam’s organization of key collaborative events such as the Canada-ASEAN Senior Economic Officials Meeting and Business Forum and co-chairing the ASEAN Regional Forum Inter-Seasonal Support Group Process for 2007-2008.  To increase commercial benefit, joint ventures and partnerships on innovation and delivery of energy, efficient technologies between both Bruneian and Canadian companies and transfer of know-how, skills and technology have potential to expedite industrial development in Brunei.  This was highlighted by the High Commissioner of Canada, His Excellency Leopold Battel at a ceremony Tuesday in celebrating Canada-Brunei partnership.  It was held at Sheraton Utama Hotel in the capital.

The Canadian High Commissioner further exemplified that partnership that has gone beyond political dimensions.  He went on to say that Canada and Brunei partnership has also been developing in the information and communications technology and environmental sectors.  Brunei’s oil and gas industry is robust and given both countries expertise in this field, Canada and Brunei can find more common ground to expand cooperation.  Canada has become a privileged partner for Brunei in the academic sector where the countries have twinning arrangements between University Brunei Darussalam and several Canadian Universities.  As well, the focus of value added activities such as high technology sectors and knowledge-based industries should provide Brunei’s economy with diversification necessary for continued growth and the expertise needed to meet global challenges.

Present were foreign diplomats and representatives of senior government officials.  The evening’s entertainment was provided by “Expression Music”, with young musicians playing on a variety of musical instruments.  Canada and Brunei Darussalam established friendly relations in 1984 with both countries opening diplomatic mission in 1995.  Since then both countries have worked together in close partnership to build a more secure world, collaborating on various issues including health security and prosperity. 

Source: Brunei Government Website, June 25, 2008

Preparations for His Majesty's 62nd birthday celebrations progress smoothly

There is a prevalent air of festivities as people in the Tutong District prepare to celebrate the upcoming 62nd birthday anniversary of His Majesty.  As with the past years, several arches have been erected at main roads in the Bukit Bendera and Jalan Sungai Besar areas.  

Banners in honour of the royal occasion have already been put up at business premises.  A stage is also under construction for the staging of cultural shows in the evenings.  Work is being focused on the special royal dais situated in the padang where a get-together ceremony between His Majesty and the rakyat is expected to take place. Meanwhile, hoisting of the National Flag to mark the royal birthday will begin on the first of July. 

Source: Brunei Government Website, June 25, 2008

Crown Prince grants audience to outgoing High Commissioner of Canada

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Monday consented to receive in audience the outgoing High Commissioner of Canada to Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Mr. Leopold Battel.  The audience ceremony took place at Istana Nurul Iman.

His Excellency has been Canada’s High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam since November 2006.  Present at the audience was the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Abu Bakar.

Source: Brunei Government Website, June 24, 2008

RTB launches its new media - RTB City website

Radio Television Brunei, RTB, is one of the government agencies that are proactive in giving dynamic, relevant and most up-to-date website contents.  It is very important to absorb and practise these three criteria in order to ensure that the website has the capability and charisma to attract internet users to surf it regularly.  In his opening remark, the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Ismail also emphasised the importance of using the internet for positive purposes.

The Permanent Secretary reminded internet surfers to use the medium responsibly and not to misuse it.  He pointed Brunei Darussalam has certain laws governing the internet, such as the Broadcasting Act Chapter 180 which provides guidelines on the internet contents so as not to be contrary to public interest, national peace and good practices. There is also the Broadcast Statement which provides guidelines for internet contents and service providers, and also the Computer Misuse Act which was introduced in 2000.

The RTB City website project gives a new face to the RTB official website by being more informative, attractive and more interactive apart from putting RTB globally as an alternative for conveying information.  It is aspired that the RTB City could become the public choice for having the latest items and information besides providing archival items.  It is safe for all age groups to surf but most importantly, RTB City provides an easy platform for the public to contribute and share information either through video clips or report oriented materials.  The public can surf RTB City at www.rtb.gov.bn

Source: Brunei Government Website, June 3, 2008

His Majesty congratulates Italy on anniversary of Republic

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has expressed his satisfaction with warm relations between Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Italy which continue to be strengthened.  His Majesty hoped that this would be further enhanced in the future for the good of the two countries and the people.  His Majesty made the statement in a congratulatory message to the President of the Republic of Italy, His Excellency Giorgio Napolitano and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy, His Excellency Silvio Berlusconi on the occasion of the Anniversary of the Republic of Italy.  His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam also hoped that the President of the Republic of Italy, His Excellency Giorgio Napolitano would always remain in good health and happiness and for the people of the Republic of Italy to always enjoy continued progress and prosperity.

At the same time, in similar congratulatory message to the Prime Minster of the Republic of Italy, His Excellency Silvio Berlusconi; His Majesty congratulates His Excellency on the occasion of the anniversary of the Republic of Italy.  His Majesty also wished His Excellency Silvio Berlusconi, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy continued good health and happiness.

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam also conveyed a congratulatory message to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Italy, His Excellency Franco Frattini on the occasion of the Anniversary of the Republic of Italy, today.  In the message, His Royal Highness conveyed his great pleasure to present congratulatorions and best wishes to His Excellency Franco Frattini and to the Government and people of Italy on the auspicious occasion.  His Royal Highness is looking forward to continuing the work to enhance friendly and cooperative relations both bilaterally and as regional partners in ASEM and the ASEAN-EU Dialogue.

Source: Brunei Government Website, June 2, 2008