His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddien Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam Tuesday attended the 9th ASEAN-Japan Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
 

The meeting discussed issues of mutual interests including the progress of ASEAN-Japan cooperation. At the meeting, His Majesty expressed satisfaction at the continued progress of close economic and security cooperation between ASEAN and Japan over the last 30 years which now covered a number of areas.
 

His Majesty further stated that Japan continued to be one of ASEAN’s most significant trading partners and played an important role in contributing toward ASEAN’s economic development for more than 30 years. As for the future, His Majesty expressed the hope that the ASEAN-Japan Plan of Action to be successfully implemented as it relected the strong commitment of both ASEAN and Japan to enhance that relationship.

His Majesty similarly hoped that Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership be successfully implemented as it would generate better opportunities and bring about greater prosperity to the people. On the bilateral relations, His Majesty stated once again his agreement to launch a study for an Economic Partnership Agreement between Brunei Darussalam and Japan.

At the end of the ASEAN-Japan Summit, a joint statement of the 9th ASEAN-Japan summit - Deepening and Broadening of ASEAN-Japan Strategic Partnership was issued containing some basic commitment and understanding of both sides.

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddien Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam attended the 9th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit. Leaders exchanged views on regional and international issues of concern and reviewed the progress of ASEAN-Republic of Korea cooperation.
 

In his titah, His Majesty congratulated President Roh Moo Hyun on the successful hosting of the recent APEC meeting in Busan. His Majesty also appreciated President Roh’s personal efforts in trying to resolve the problems in the Korean Peninsula whose commitment towards achieving peace and stability had done a great deal in building and restoring confidence in the region.

On the dialogue relations between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea, His Majesty expressed his satisfaction at its overall progress and the signing of the Framework Agreement later would set a clearer path towards strengthening economic cooperation between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea.

Furthermore, His Majesty stated that the eventual establishment of the Free Trade Area would be an important mechanism supporting economic stability and thus, contributing to overall regional peace and prosperity.

As for the future, His Majesty then looked forward to broadening cooperation in the areas such as disaster management, small and medium enterprises, information and communication technology, human resource development, youth and media exchanges.

His Majesty believed that cooperation between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea which were broad would send not only positive message to potential investors but also would demonstrate to the people of both sides that ASEAN and the Republic of Korea were able to work very well together.

After the meeting, His Majesty consented to join other leaders of ASEAN and the Republic of Korea to sign the Framework Agreement on the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Economic Cooperation.

A number of ministries are holding doa selamat for their officers and staff who are going on the haj pilgrimage this year.

The Ministry of Finance and departments under it held such a function Tuesday for sixteen of its officers and staff. There was also a religious talk on the significance of the haj by a lecturer from the Islamic Dakwah Centre, Awang Haji Mail bin Besar.

The Acting Minister of Finance, Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Rahman was among those who attended the function. The Ministry of Education also held similar prayers for 109 of its intending pilgrims.

Its minister, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Rahman was present. The function coincided with the presentation of souvenirs to 42 male and 67 female employees of the ministry.

Awang Abdul Bahrin bin Haji Dullah and family whose house in Kampong Setia ‘B’ was destroyed by a landslide on the second of this month continues to receive contributions from various parties.

Tuesday, the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation collaborating with the Community Development Department and the Islamic Religious Council donated a total of eleven thousand and eight hundred dollars. Of the amount of money, five thousand dollars that were presented by the foundation was presented by its Managing Director Dato Paduka Haji Ali Hashim.

Another five thousand dollars which came from the Community Development Department was presented by its director, Datin Hajah Adina. Whilst Pengiran Haji Bahrom, the Secretary of the Islamic Religious Council presented one thousand and eight hundred dollars.

The presentation took place at the residence of the Ketua Kampong Setia B, Awang Haji Kamis bin Haji Metassan.

Trade ministers of the World Trade Organisation, W-T-O, including Brunei Darussalam began their meeting in Hong Kong Tuesday. The 6th W-T-O meeting is attended by delegations from 149 member countries.

Hong Kong one of Asia’ key financial center has a population of more than six million people. With a land area of more than one thousand square kilometers and over 260 outlying islands, Hong Kong is compact an accessible. The island was claimed by Britain and in 1842 following the first Opium War with China. Hong Kong was returned to China on july 1st 1997.

The W-T-O conference was held at the HongKong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wanchai. W-T-O was founded in 1995 and based in Geneva. It creates the laws that govern international trade between its members and helps them to settle trade dispute. The W-T-O main goal is to promote free trade which brings economic prosperity. Brunei Darussalam became a member in 1995. W-T-O ministers meet at least once every two years.

The W-T-O replaces the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, or GATT, which was created in the wake of World War 2 to try to stop a repeat of the trade wars. The conference in HongKong was billed as a key stage in the Doha Round of negotiations to reduce barriers in world trade and spur growth in developing countries.

Meanwhile at the Hongkong Convention and Exhibition Centre, representatives from international media have arrived well in advance to cover this important event including a number of prominent broadcasting networks such as the BBC, Reuters and APTN.

During the conference, an estimated nine thousand police officers are deployed for round-the-clock duties to step-up security where land and water areas surrounding the venue are sealed off. The W-T-O round in Hongkong hopes to achieve success and bring benefits to its members. The conference will end on Sunday.

The SMS Brunei Prihatin for the Pakistan Earthquake Humanitarian Aid has begun nearly a week ago. By 9 o’clock this evening, the fund has collected more than 8 thousand dollars.

DST Prima and Easi DSTCom users can contribute by typing PKT followed by the amount of either 1,5,10 or 20 and sending to 8885555. Donations are welcome until the 28th February 2006.