Thursday, 20th April 2006

NEWS:- Thursday, 20th April 2006

His Majesty returns home after three-day state visit to UAE

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam returned home upon completion of a three-day state visit to the United Arab Emirates. The state visit involved Abu Dhabi and Dubai

On the last day in Dubai, His Majesty consented to visit the Dubai Police Academy. The Brunei Monarch was welcomed on arrival by the Commander of Dubai Police, Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim that was shortly followed the national anthems of Brunei Darussalam and the United Arab Emirates.

Subsequently, His Majesty inspected the guard of honour. Established in 1956, the Dubai Police Academy is located at Al-Towar. Various performances were held at the drill ground in honour of His Majesty’s visit. It began with a formation exercise structuring the word BRUNEI. Tactics on guarding VIPs were also demonstrated. The academy used its Women Police in the exercise who showed their skill of action.

The exercise ended with an anti-demonstration drill involving anti-riot police, horse-mounted police, as well as a show by a team of police using the most modern anti-riot vehicles.

After witnessing the shooting demonstration at the Indoor Shooting Gallery, His Majesty consented to try his hands at one of the firearms exhibited. His Majesty was then invited to visit the Security and Science Administration Institute complex located in the Police Academy.

The Monarch was taken on a tour throughout the institute. At the conference room, His Majesty was briefed and watched a video clip on the functions and activities of the institute.
The Dubai Police Academy is under the jurisdiction of the government of Dubai unlike that of other police departments of the United Arab Emirates. The academy trains local and foreign students, especially those from member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council and other Muslim countries.

Prior to taking leave of the function, His Majesty signed the visitors’ book and received a gift from the Commander of the Dubai Police.

His Majesty also visited the 51-floor Tower of the Emirates in Dubai. Aside from a shopping centre, the commercial tower is equipped with facilities for the holding of meetings.

His Majesty was welcomed on arrival by the State Minister for Cabinet Affairs, who is also the Executive Chairman of Dubai Holdings, His Excellency Mohammad Al-Gergawi.

His Majesty heard a briefing on the 44th floor of the Tower of the Emirates of the various achievements and developments in Dubai in particular. These include current mega projects involving ICT technology, media, entertainment, health care and real estate. The briefings were presented by the Dubai Director General of Technology and the Authority on Media Free Zone, Mr. Saeed Al-Muntafiq, and Chief Executives of various other companies involved.

The final itinerary in the series of His Majesty’s state visit to Dubai was a four-eye meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum. The meeting took place at Za’abeel Palace.

His Majesty was welcomed on arrival by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the Deputy President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, who is also the Ruler of Dubai. His Majesty was introduced to the Dubai delegation whilst His Highness Sheikh Mohammad was in turn introduced to Brunei Darussalam’s delegation. During the meeting, both leaders discussed ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation.

The state visit, a first by His Majesty is a landmark in the history of relations between Brunei Darussalam and the United Arab Emirates. The visit is proof of enhanced bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992.

Cooperation between both nations encompassed diversity of areas. They include air service agreed upon in 1992, allowing the Royal Brunei Airlines to operate in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Fujiriah. Currently, RBA operates daily flight to Dubai. Brunei Darussalam and the United Arab Emirates also cooperate in religious affairs, and cooperation in defence and education. In area of trade, Brunei’s import in 2003 stood at more than 5.1 million Brunei dollars. But in 2004 saw in increased of 5.2 million dollars. Total export of Brunei to the United Arab Emirates was valued at 1.7 million dollars in 2003 and increased to 3 million dollars in 2004. His Majesty’s visit will further enhance such cooperations.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Bali attending ASEAN FMs Retreat

His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah left for Bali Wednesday morning and was bid farewell at the Brunei International Airport by Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, the Ambassador-At-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. His Royal Highness was welcomed upon arrival at the Ngurah Rai International Airport by the Director for ASEAN Functional Cooperation, Mr. Kristio Wahyono.

The two-day ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat commenced Wednesday afternoon at the Maya Ubud Resort and SPA located at Desa Peliatan, some 50 kilometres from Denpasar, the capital of Bali. The Maya Ubud Resort and SPA, a popular recourse among tourists is situated on the slope of the Petanu River Valley.

Prince Mohamed Bolkiah attends meeting on ASEAN Charter

His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade who is in Ubud, Bali to attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, last evening attended a meeting between the ASEAN Foreign Ministers and the Eminent Persons Group, EPG, on the ASEAN Charter.

Following the meeting, His Royal Highness joined fellow Foreign Ministers at a working dinner hosted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency Doctor Hassan Wirayuda. During the working dinner, the ASEAN Ministers discussed matters of concern to the regional grouping and exchanged views on current regional and international development.

British Commission holds reception to mark Queen’s 80th birthday

It is the tradition of the British to have an official birthday for their sovereign that has begun a century ago. The Queen continues this tradition by celebrating her official birthday in June, but the actual birthday is on 21st April.

This was stated by the British High Commissioner to Brunei, His Excellency John Saville at the celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s 80th Birthday last night. His Excellency said that he is aware of the close relationship between Brunei Darussalam and Britain in many fields including education and hopes that the cooperation will continue.

Representing the Government of His Majesty at the function was the Minister of Education, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Rahman, who graced the function by cutting the birthday cake. The function took place at a hotel in Jerudong.

ASEAN-China Forum to review and discuss planning and implementation progress of both sides’ activities

A two-day Second ASEAN-China ICT Ministerial Forum begins today in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Brunei Darussalam is represented at the forum by the Minister of Communications, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Abu Bakar. The forum is expected to be attended by Ministers Responsible for Telecommunications and IT From ASEAN countries and China.

Opening to the theme “Strategic Regional Cooperation for Global Leadership”, the forum will provide an opportunity for ASEAN-China senior officials and their business sectors to review and discuss progress in the planning and implementation of the ASEAN-China Cooperation Activities. A five-day “ASEAN-China ICT Week” is currently being held and ends tomorrow in conjunction with the Second ASEAN-China ICT Ministerial Forum. The Brunei delegation includes the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications, Dato Paduka Haji Mohamad Yusof bin Haji Mohd. Hassan and four other senior officials of the ministry.

Pakistan and Katrina Funds receive more donations

The Pakistan Earthquake Humanitarian Fund, Thursday received a donation of $102,940 dollars, while the Katrina Hurricane Relief Fund received about $20,180. With the latest contribution, the Pakistan Earthquake Humanitarian Fund has collected $419,270, while the Katrina Hurricane Relief Fund collected $75,870. Receiving the donations was the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Retired Major General Pehin Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohammad who is the advisor for both funds.

The Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation handed over fifty thousand dollars for the Pakistan Humanitarian Fund. He also presented another $1,062 for the same fund and $1,180 for the Katrina Hurricane Relief Fund. Both donations came from public contributions through fund boxes located at the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Shopping Complex.

The Acting Managing Director of the Islamic Bank of Brunei Berhad and its subsidiaries, Pehin Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd. Ali as a representative for the Association of Banks of Brunei Darussalam handed over a donation worth thirty thousand dollars for the Pakistan Earthquake Humanitarian Fund and nineteen thousand dollars for the Katrina Hurricane Relief Fund. Both donations came from public contributions through fund boxes placed at banks and commercial buildings and departmental stores.

The Brunei Muara District Officer, Dato Paduka Haji Mohd. Yussop as Chairman of the Pakistan Earthquake Humanitarian Fund for the Brunei Muara District handed over almost $13,160 to the fund. The donation was raised during a sponsored walkathon last month, co-organised by the Consultative Council of Mukim Kianggeh and Mukim-Mukim in the Brunei Muara District with the cooperation of the District Office.

The President of the Association of Brunei Malay Teachers, PGGMB, Awang Haji Antin bin Ahad handed over a donation worth $4,125 and President of the Brunei Darussalam Women’s Institute, Dayang Hajah Marhani binti Abdul Latif presented two thousand dollars. Both donations were for the Pakistan Earthquake Humanitarian Fund. The handing over of donations took place in Berakas and among those present were the Deputy Minister, Dato Paduka Haji Yakub and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Awang Haji Jemat bin Haji Ampal.

Government gives extremely serious attention to controlling and preventing spread of HIV/AIDS

The Government of His Majesty is giving an extremely serious attention to controlling and preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country by taking various measures. Stating this at the handing over ceremony of the Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council’s new office premises, Wednesday, the Deputy Minister of Health said AIDS infections in Brunei Darussalam are still relatively low. Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Hazair said that although the World Health Organization, WHO, estimates that forty million world population would be infected by HIV/AIDS in 2005, the infection in Brunei Darussalam is relatively low with six hundred and fifty seven cases recorded over a twenty-year period from 1986-2005. Of these, twenty eight involved locals, seventeen of whom have died. Six non-locals have also died of HIV/AIDS over the same period.

Pehin Dato Haji Hazair said that the government through the Ministry of Health has been taking continuous measures to check and contain HIV/ AIDS. He also referred to His Majesty’s recent titah on cleanliness and called on the people to practise a ‘Healthy Life-Style’ to keep infectious diseases at bay. The Pehin said His Majesty stressed it has been proven today that outbreaks of diseases are related to cleanliness factors.

The Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council’s new office premises is provided by the Standard Chartered Bank. The Deputy Minister of Health handed over a mock key to the Council’s President, Datin Hajah Edah binti Haji Mohd. Noor. The building, located in Gadong will not only act as a center of information for members of the public to query and know more about the deadly pandemic, but also act as the premises where the council and youth members can carry out their basic administrative and public awareness activities.

International Halal Products Expo to be held from 2nd-7th of August

With the objective of sharing the enormous market opportunities, Brunei Darussalam is organising the first ever International Halal Products Expo, IHPE, to be held from 2nd to 7th August this year at the International Convention Centre in Berakas. The Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources says the IHPE will serve as a unique platform for all international players dealing in Halal products to gather and discuss relevant matters under one roof.

The key word of the event is Halal. The word ‘Hhalal’ is today rapidly gaining such recognition globally. It has become a new defining global catch-phrase, used from farming to pharmaceuticals, banking to branding and fashion to food products. Halal is purely religious requirement, but it is becoming chic, a global symbol for quality assurance and lifestyle choice. Brunei Darussalam,

being a Muslim sultanate, has long held its place in the Islamic world for over six hundred years with her guiding principle expounded as a Malay Islamic Monarchy. As such, it is resolved and absolute in that its food requirement, whether imported or produced locally, does meet Islamic guidelines, such as on Halal aspect, meaning permissible for consumption by Muslims on securing and cleanliness and so on.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Brunei Darussalam imports around 69 percent of its total food requirements valued at almost five hundred and seventy million dollars. Its total domestic food production is 31 percent, worth some two hundred and sixty million dollars. On the global front, the annual Halal food market is a billion-dollar trade, estimated to be worth at least one hundred and fifty billion US dollars, approximately two hundred and fifty-five billion Brunei dollars and growing rapidly. This is supported on the global population front, where twenty-two percent of the world’s population are Muslims and growing at around 2.9 percent each year. This does not include the non-Muslim consumers who have learnt to associate Halal to excellent Quality and High Standard of Hygiene and Cleanliness. Some two hundred participants will participate in the expo, which is also expected to greatly benefit tourism and hospitality industries. The IHPE will greatly assist existing and potential entrepreneurs in extending their networking in sharing their business with local and foreign entrepreneurs who have already established credentials within the local and international Halal products marketplace.

Brunei chairs two-day 3rd HAPUA Second Working Group Meeting on Transmission

Brunei Darussalam is chairing the two-day of the Third HAPUA Second Working Group Meeting on Transmission at a hotel in Gadong. The meeting was organized by the Department of Electrical Services at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The meeting is being attended by delegates from the host country - Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, the People Democratic Republic of Lao, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The meeting was officially opened by a Senior Engineer at the Planning and Project Management System of the Electrical Services Department, Awang Haji Ismail bin Puteh, on behalf of the Director of Electrical Services.

The HAPUA Second Group on Transmission is one of the eight working groups formulated by the special meeting of the Head of Power Utilities Authorities, ‘HAPUA’ in December 2003. The main objective of the working group is to realize the ASEAN Vision of power system interconnection within the ASEAN member countries. The realization of this ASEAN power grid will promote power interconnection and trade as well as exchange of experiences on the operation and maintenance of the power transmission system within the ASEAN member countries.

Among the objective of the meeting is to finalize the draft Memorandum of Understanding on the ASEAN power grid as well as to update the status and progress of the fourteen ASEAN interconnection projects being undertaken by designated member countries.

Brunei National Softball Tournament 2006 launches

A total of twenty-seven softball teams throughout the country including ten women team will vie for the Brunei Shell Marketing, BSM Championship Trophy 2006. The championship is organised inconjunction with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s 60th birthday anniversary celebration.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of the Brunei National Softball Tournament 2006 last night, the Managing Director of BSM, Pengiran Haji Yasmin bin Pengiran Haji Mohamed urged for more youth participation in this sport which is gaining popularity. He said that with the commitment of BSM in such activity, social development can be achieved towards a healthy lifestyle in Brunei Darussalam.

Present at the launching was the Brunei Muara District Officer, Dato Paduka Haji Yussop bin Bakar in his capacity as Chairman of the Administrative Executive Committee for the His Majesty’s 60th birthday anniversary celebration in the Brunei Muara District. He also received cheques from sponsors of the tournament. Dato Haji Yussop later handed over the championship trophies for each male and female categories to the Chairman of the tournament, Awang Abdullah bin Mohd. Jair. The tournament is organised by the Banzai Softball Team and commences on the first week of next month until July this year. Last night’s function took place in Gadong.

END OF NEWS

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