His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddien Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan or Brunei Darussalam has consented to visit Aceh to personally observe the effects of the earthquakes and the giant 'tsunami' waves affecting the provice recently.

His Majesty's arrival at the Sultan Iskandar Muda Military Airfield in Banda, Aceh was greeted by the Coordinating Minister for the People's Welfare of the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency Dr. Alwi Abdurrahman Shihab and other local dignitaries consisting of the Acting Governor of Aceh Province, Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces in Aceh, Head of the Provincial Police Force, Head of the Judiciary of Aceh Province as well as the Attorney-General of the Aceh Province. Also present to greet His Majesty at the airport was the Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Mohamad Amin.

Before visiting the areas affected by the earthquakes and the giant 'tsunami' waves, His Majesty was briefed by the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare, His Excellency Dr. Alwi Abdurrahman Shihab and Vice Governor of the Province Aceh, Haji Azwar Abu Bakar as well as other local officials. The briefing was held at the Residence of the governor.

The first stop in His Majesty's itinerary was the beach area in Bandar Aceh as well as important places affected by the calamities such as the Baitur Rahman and Baitur Rahim Mosques. At these two mosques, while witnessing the effects of the calamities, His Majesty presented the Mosques with copies of the Islamic holy book - Al-Quran. From Banda Aceh, His Majesty then left for Sabang in Weh Island, with His Majesty piloting one fo the Blackhawk helicopters owned by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces stationed in the area. On arrival a the Maimun Salleh Military Airfield, His Majesty was greeted by the Mayor of Sabang and local officials as well as officers and staff of the contingent from Brunei Darussalam. In Sabang, His Majesty was briefed by the heads of the contigent from Brunei Darussalam. This was followed with His Majesty meeting some of the contingent members comprising the personnel of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, the medical officers and staff of the Ministry of Health and officers and staff of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation. From that area, His Majesty visited the hospitals where residents affected by the calamities were treated under the supervision of medical officers and staff of Brunei's Ministry of Health and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. In the hospital, His Majesty had a chance to visit two children injured during the disaster and now under the care of the medical officers and staff of the Brunei Minsitry of Health.

From the Sabang hospital, His Majesty piloted one of the helicopters to observe from the air the affected areas in the northwestern region of Sumatra. This region is most affected by the earthquakes and the giant tsunami waves. Before leaving for Banda Aceh, His Majesty stopped over at Tepin Rambot, where the Royal Brunei Armed Forces has its regimental aid post. At Tepin Rambot, His Majesty was briefed and had a chance to meet the officers and staff of the Royal Brunei Armed Froces and the Ministry of Health. There are 187 temporary camps in Tepin Rambot which accommodate about 570 occupants.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam left the Sultan Iskandar Muda Military Airfield, Banda Aceh, yesterday afternoon after completing the one-day visit to the areas affected by the earthquakes and the giant tsunami waves as well as to observe personally the work done by the contingent especially sent from Brunei Darussalam to the Aceh province.

The Language and Literature Bureau has signed agreements with ten local writers to publish a number of academic and children's books. According to the department's acting Director, Awang Haji Sumadi bin Sukaimi, the local market is flooded with children's books from abroad. Books for children written by local authors, in a local setting, are thus an important initiative in reinforcing the national identity.

The agreement enables the Bureau to publish 9 children's books. Another book to be published highlights the medicinal benefits of local herbs, and

The Brunei Industry Development Agency, BINA, is striving to provide the best services to entrepreneurs who have been allocated land lots for industrial development under its jurisdiction. Among the new facilities provided by BINA is "ready-made" factory buildings. The Deputy Director of BINA said the ready-to-be-occupied factories will save huge budgets in building the basic infrastructure. At the same time, he said numerous incentives are also given to entrepreneurs to expand their businesses as well as to create more employment opportunities for youth.

The Deputy Director, whose remark was delivered by the Head of Promotion and Public Relations of BINA, conveyed the message at the opening of the Business Project 2005 of the Business School yesterday. The school undertakes the project to expose the students to the real world of entrepreneurship. According to the Chairperson of the Business Project Committee, Dayangku Susilawati binti Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Damit, 47 students in their year-end National Diploma study came up with the innovative project to showcase their talents and knowledge gained from two-and-a-half years of study. They set up stalls to promote their own products and services which include catering, goods services, sourvenir and handicraft making.

The National Relief Fund for the Tsunami victims yesterday received more than two hundred thousand dollars. The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports and Sport Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Lela Dato Seri Paduka Doctor Haji Awang Hussein who is also the co-chairman of the fund was on hand to receive the donation.

The first donation came from the Belait District through a number of welfare and charity activities such as Walkathon, Golf tournament and individual donations amounting to ninety two thousand four hundred and eighty four dollars. The second donation was contributed by the Brunei Christian Association Community totaling forty nine thousand nine hundred and twenty two dollars. A sum of twenty one thousand four hundred and seventy seven dollars came from a recent walkathon jointly organised by a number of organisations in the Brunei Muara District. The other contributors included the Malaysian Citizens' Association. They gave 7,505 dollars, the Jerudong Polo Country Club donated 8,400 dollars, the Ministry of Home Affairs contributed 6,041 dollars.The fund also received contributions from the GEX Sendirian Berhad amounting to 5,906 dollars. The Pantai Mentiri Golf Club donated 5,100 dollars, the Royal Brunei Technical Services handed in 5, 000 dollars while the Brunei Amateur Football Association gave 4, 102 dollars. Te Ministry of Communication donated 3,457 dollars, GALFAR allocated a sum of 3,000 thousand dollars, the Riverside School contributed 3,000 dollars, the Haji Mohamad Mohd Daud and Family gave 2,548 dollars and Staff from the Utama Grand donated 1,192 dollars. Contributions were also received from the Royal Brunei Police. They contributed 865 dollars, Staff of the Jaya Centerpoint handed in 1,630 dollars, the Milimewah Departmental Store and its employees gave 1,830 dollars, the Ibrahim Architect contributed one thousand dollars, the Pasar Raya Tumpuan Jaya and the Utama Grand Superstore donated five hundred dollars each