Wednesday, 5th April 2006

NEWS:- Wednesday, 5th April 2006

Royalty attend Chinese Cultural Show

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, Tuesday consented to attend a Chinese Cultural Show held at the Indoor Stadium in Berakas. Their Royal Highnesses were welcomed by the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Doctor Haji Ahmad and Governor of the Guang Xi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Lu Bing.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah consented to officiate at ‘the Charm of Guang Xi’ Cultural Show. Also present were Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and other senior officials.

Over 40 artists from Guang Xi took part in the show which included presentations of folk songs and cultural dances and music as well as acrobatics show. The Chinese performers also presented Bruneian folk song and dance. At the end of the show, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah consented to mingle with the performers.

Brunei Princess and State Councilor of China exchange views on bilateral relations

Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, the Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade last night attended a dinner hosted by the State Councilor of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Tang Jiaxuan. Prior to the dinner, Her Royal Highness met the State Councilor at the Great Hall of the People.

During the meeting, Her Royal Highness and His Excellency Tang Jiaxuan exchanged views on bilateral relations between Brunei Darussalam and China, particularly ways to further enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the current progress of relations and look forward to events commemorating the 15th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations. Her Royal Highness arrived in Beijing on Monday for a six-day official visit to the republic.

Brunei’s Ambassador-at-Large meets with CEO of China's National Offshore Oil Corporation

Tuesday, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, met with the Chief Executive Officer of China’s National offshore Oil Corporation at the start of the visit to the republic. The meeting between Her Royal Highness and Mr. Fu Chengyu was held in the afternoon. Present was Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz. Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna’s visit is at the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

Soon after the meeting, Her Royal Highness attended a luncheon hosted by Mr. Fu Chengyu. Her Royal Highness’s itinerary included a visit to the Xiaotangshan Modern Agricultural Demonstration Park. While in China, Her Royal Highness is also to visit Nanjing, Jiangsu Province’s historical and important places.

Drill operation on handling Avian Flu

To determine the effectiveness and weakness of the National Task Force Committee Concerning Zoonotic Diseases, the Agriculture Department with the cooperation of the Ministry of Health, the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Royal Brunei Police Force, the Fire Service and the Public Works Department as well as other agencies, Tuesday conducted an exercise on handling Avian Flu.

The exercise codenamed “Operasi Serama 2” began at half past eight in the morning at the Kampung Maraburong Poultry Farm of the Agriculture Development Land in the Tutong District. The farm was believed to have been infected by the Avian Influenza. The Avian Influenza disease was also suspected to have infected two farm workers.

Activities done during the operation included destroying and burying infected chicken, transporting an infected worker to the Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital in Tutong and taking samples for analysis at a laboratory in Australia. The relevant authorities also controlled the traffic flow at the infected area including the movement of animal, transportation and the public. They conducted house to house search to make sure all the infected poultry in the area were destroyed. Overall the standard procedure operation was carried out effectively. The Agriculture Department advised the public not to worry as Brunei Darussalam is still free from the disease.

466 cases of HFMD reported since 29th of March

In the latest development of the Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Brunei Darussalam, five more cases of the disease were reported last Sunday 2nd April, four in the Brunei/Muara District and one in Tutong. Since March 1st, 466 cases of HFMD were reported. There is a down-trend of infections since the 29th of last month.

Nevertheless, as an on-going precautionary measures towards preventing the spread of the disease, the Ministry of Health has advised members of the public to observe self-cleanliness and practice good hygiene at all times, such as by using soap and clean water when washing hands. This habit should be inculcated among children at the earlier age.

The cleanliness of public utilities such as toilets too should be observed and upgraded. Any inquiries pertaining to the Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease should contact 2227785 or 2242424 extension 393.

Grade 3 Clerk sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for criminal breach of trust

The Intermediate Court of Brunei Darussalam has sentenced Ismail bin Haji Sahari@ Abdul Hamid, a Grade 3 Clerk at the Directorate Administration and Manpower, Ministry of Defence to 3 years 6 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to three charges of committing criminal breach of trust under Section 409 of the Penal Code.

According to a press release issued by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, ACB, Ismail misappropriated funds from allowances for reservists totaling $326,880 between 1997 and 1999 while being a public servant in his capacity entrusted with the funds. The ACB discovered that Ismail had submitted bogus claims in the pay sheets of reservists who did not attend training and forged their signatures so as to purportedly claim their allowances.

Brunei Darussalam is strong supporter of UN since it achieved independence in 1984

Brunei Darussalam has been a strong supporter of the United Nations since it achieved its independence in 1984. Brunei has provided a very strong support both financially as well as in kind contribution to the disaster victims around the world. This was stated by the United Nations Director Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Ed Tsui during an exclusive interview with RTB News.

Mr. Ed Tsu is in the country to discuss with His Majesty’s Government how to further strengthen the cooperation between the United Nations and the government particularly in the area of humanitarian assistance. He said that at time of the tsunami as well as the Pakistan earthquake, the Government of Brunei has provide a very strong support both financially as well as in kind contribution to the victims. He says this is a noble effort, and hopes that those efforts could be sustained in the future. He said he is very impressed by the capacity and the readiness of Brunei in tackling natural disaster. For example, the Fire and Rescue Department in responding to disaster and the Ministry of Communication to provide the kind of coordination which is needed to response to disaster.

Guangxi Seminar opens at ICC

Brunei Darussalam is making active efforts to participate and promote the construction at the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and strives to change its petroleum-based economy by implementing a strategy of diversified economy, so as to realise sustainable development. This has also brought new opportunities and explores new areas for a comprehensive economic cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and China, as well as Guangxi.

The Governor of the Guangxi Zhung Autonomous Region of China highlighted the matter Tuesday at the opening Seminar on China, Guangxi-Brunei Investment and Cooperation and China-ASEAN Expo Promotion. His Excellency Lu Bing also said Guangxi enjoys favourable geographical location and fast economic growth. Situated in China’s Southwest, Guangxi is the only province that enjoys both land and sea access to ASEAN. Thus it serves as an international passage linking China with ASEAN. Guangxi boasts a series of preferential policies for Brunei Darussalam in promoting bilateral economic cooperation namely agricultural, tourism and fishery cooperations as well as to strengthen two way investment, and co-sponsorship of the China-ASEAN Expo or CAEXPO.

The Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Doctor Haji Ahmad and His Excellency Lu Bing then together officiated at the seminar. Also present were the Deputy Minister, Dato Paduka Haji Hamdillah and the Permanent Secretary, Dato Paduka Haji Mohd. Hamid.

During the seminar, the Special Duties Officer and Head of Promotion and Entrepreneurial Development Division at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources gave a presentation on Brunei-China investment and cooperation. According to Awang Haji Momin bin Haji Sawal, based on the year 2004’s statistics, the volume that Brunei exports to China was nearly $348 million Brunei dollars. While the imports of China in the same year was nearly $150 million Brunei dollars. The major commodities traded being mineral fuel, food and machineries. He added that this figure is still a long way on reaching US$1 billion of Brunei-China trade volume by the year 2010.

Also being held at the opening seminar was the China-ASEAN Expo promotion. The exhibition among other showcased agriculture, industry, commerce and technology products produced in Guangxi. Tuesday’s function took place at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.

Meanwhile, another seminar was also held at the same venue. The Guangxi China- ASEAN Expo or CAEXPO Seminar were participated by representatives of both China and Brunei Governments. The seminar among other aimed to enhance cooperation, increase economic yields and jointly to hold a successful CAEXPO.

Among those attending were the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Dato Setia Doctor Haji Ahmad and his Deputy Minister, Dato Paduka Haji Hamdillah as well as the Governor of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China, His Excellency Mr. Lu Bing.

The seminar also discussed topics on what services the China-ASEAN Expo can offer to provide accesses for products of Brunei Darussalam to enter the Chinese market, for buyers to purchase Chinese products and to promote bilateral cooperation in investment and tourism. Products with competitive edges from Brunei that have potential and of more suitable in the Chinese markets were also put up at the CAEXPO. Subsequently, there was a signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding. Witnessing for Brunei side were the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources and his deputy. Meanwhile, the Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Madam Yang Yan Yi and His Excellency Mr. Lu Bing witnessed for the visitor. Eleven projects were signed between both countries. The projects among other covered in the fields of tourism, agriculture, import and export as well as Muslim food processing.

END OF NEWS

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