His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in his keynote address said the visit provides an opportunity to reaffirm both countries friendship and close ties.  His Royal Highness also said that over the years, both bilateral cooperation has been developing steadily.  A number of exchanges of visits have taken place between both people at all levels. In recent times, cooperation in various fields such as defence, air services and education have shown much progress.  His Royal Highness went on to say that, Brunei Darussalam is happy that Royal Brunei Airlines is flying into Ho Chi Minh City this coming May. His Royal Highness believed that with the start of flight services to Vietnam, both relations will be strengthened, people to people contacts will be enhanced and that trade and tourism industry between both nations will develop.

The Crown Prince also said within the framework of ASEAN, cooperation is flourishing and added that both countries are pleased that the Initiative for ASEAN Integration, IAI programme has enabled Brunei Darussalam to work with Vietnam in its human resource development as well as enhanced both countries’ capacity building efforts.  His Royal Highness expressed happiness to note that the number of Vietnamese participating in the training courses that Brunei Darussalam provides is increasing year by year.  At the regional and international level, said His Royal Highness, Brunei Darussalam is pleased to be working side by side with Vietnam.  Both shared common interests in promoting prosperity and maintaining peace and stability of the region in the face of global challenges.

Accompanying His Royal Highness was Prince Abdul Qawi.  Present to bid farewell at the Brunei International Airport were Pengiran-Pengiran Cheteria, Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers and senior government officials.

His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Monday hosted a luncheon for the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Elmar Mammadyarov, at the Balai Penghadapan, Bukit Kayangan.  

Another matter raised was for jalan kecil or subsidiary roads in rural areas to be surfaced. The Minister of Development, Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Awang Abdullah said that subsidiary roads which come under the jurisdiction of the District Offices, when deemed appropriate, would normally be handed over to the Ministry of Development which then surfaced and upgraded them.  The issue of flash flooding also came to the fore, especially of flood-prone areas in Tutong and Temburong Districts.  A member inquired if any budget had been set aside for clearing up drains and rivers to alleviate the problems.  To this, the Minister of Development disclosed that a budget has been allocated in the National Development Plan.  Other issues raised were on application and approval of miscellaneous licenses and application and approval of visas.

More allocations of sums under the Proposed Act by the Second Finance Minister, Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Rahman were tabled in the afternoon sitting.  Effectiveness in the implementation of the country’s education system was touched on at length.  The Minister of Education, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Abd Rahman said 250 million dollars have been allocated for human resource developments with maintenance of infrastructures being a priority within the annual budget.  He cited the hostel and field of the Sufri Bolkiah Secondary School in Tutong as an example of infrastructures in dire need of repair.  On allocations for the Forestry Department, a member inquired whether its 230 staff-strength is sufficient to monitor the invaluable national asset.  It was stated in the response that several government agencies including the Ministry of Defence have taken steps patrolling the forest in guaranteeing the country’s treasure.  Also looked into were the Fishery, Agriculture and Tourism sectors.  

A member inquired whether the allocation of 1.2 million dollars is sufficient to promote Brunei’s Tourism Industry because of its potentially big contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP.  With Brunei’s rich natural resources, eco-tourism, aqua-tourism and sports tourism can be promoted.  

The Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Dr. Haji Ahmad welcomed the suggestion and said the tourism sector is still young and from 2000-2005 has contributed less than 2 percent to the GDP annually.  He however envisioned that the sector could be further developed to give a contribution of between 8 to 12 percent in the future.  The meeting at the International Convention Centre is to be continued this morning at half past nine.

Both donations were handed over by the DST Group Head of Operation, Awang Haji Marsad bin Haji Ismail. The donations were received by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Retired Major General Pehin Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohammad.  The Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Dato Paduka Haji Yakub was also present.

With Monday’s donation, the overall amount collected for the fund so far is $296,700. The Community Development Department as the Fund’s Secretariat said that donations can still be made by the public until the 18th of next month.  Donations can be made directly to the Secretariat or through fund boxes provided at public buildings, banks or commercial premises.

The Postal Services Department has appointed eleven representatives in Brunei’s four districts to render services to rural areas especially in places inaccessible to postmen.  A signing ceremony was held Monday between the Postal Services Department and a selected representation.  Awang Sufarin bin Haji Metali from Kampung Bolkiah ‘B’ was appointed by the department as its representative beginning Monday.

The appointment of postal representative is in line with the department’s vision to become a Business and Information Centre for the public as well as to provide better facility and convenience to its customers.  Apart from delivering letters, the postal representative will also sell stamps and receive registered letters.  Kampung Bolkiah ‘B’ is situated at Kampong Ayer and has a population of nearly one thousand five hundred residents living in over two hundred houses.

The police are seeking public assistance in tracing a man wanted in connection with a commercial crime.