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His Majesty welcomes ASEAN-Japan economic partnership
His Majesty Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam Tuesday consented to attend the ASEAN + Japan Summit at the 10th ASEAN Summit, in Vientiane Laos. Discussion at the meeting revolved around the theme of "strengthening the dynamic and enduring ASEAN-Japan partnership".

In a titah at this session, the Monarch welcomed the recent agreement to begin negotiations for the ASEAN-Japan comprehensive economic partnership in April 2005 and expressed the hope that negotiations for the bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement could begin quickly. His Majesty also stated that the development of human resources remained vital to the development of ASEAN and was pleased that this area of cooperation had been included in the ASEAN +Japan Plan of Action. His Majesty hoped that there would be more progress in the implementation of the plan.
National Physical Planning Council to help realize sustainable developmen
The Ministry of Development is currently reviewing and up-dating the 1972 Town and Country Act for the proposed establishment of the National Physical Planning Council. The Minister of Development stated this at the launch of the World Town Planning Day Tuesday.

Pehin Dato Doctor Awang Haji Ahmad said the setting up the council is to ensure thorough and integrated physical planning and consistency at all agencies concerned by taking into account all policies and issues related to the various sectors in the country and Brunei Darussalam's interests.

The Minister added the National Physical Planning Council will play an important role in realizing the nation's goals of attaining more effective, well-coordinated and sustainable development. At the function Yang Berhormat also launched a book entitled, "Guidelines and Standards of Planning for Industrial Development."
Nation’s economy to be boosted by proposed world class industrial park
Sungai Liang will be a world class industrial park in the region playing host to both manufacturing and downstream projects with shared infrastructure and utilities. This is part of Brunei Economic Development Board's (BEDB) strategy to diversify Brunei Darussalam's economy.

The chairman of the BEDB, Pehin Retired Major General Dato Awang Haji Mohammad made the remarks when announcing the appointment of the Halcrow Group as the Master Planner for the development of the Sungai Liang Industrial Park. Yang Berhormat Pehin elaborated that the roles of the Master Planner are to recommend the most appropriate commercial framework to enable cost efficiency in a timely manner, to develop Sungai Liang into an internationally competitive industrial park, and to design the infrastructure and manage its construction.

Part of the project's objectives is to facilitate development of industries which will bring considerable revenue to Brunei, provide employment and help to diversify the national economy, whilst ensuring sufficient protection to nearby residents including enhancement of the environment.

There are four main industries planned for the Sungai Liang site. Two of these projects include a world scale ammonia/urea and a methanol plant. The shared infrastructure and utilities will require investments of about 900 million US Dollars, of which 90% is envisaged to be funded by foreign direct investment through public-private partnership, and the rest will be funded by His Majesty's Government.
Negotiations for ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area to launch early 2005
His Majesty then attended the ASEAN + Republic of Korea Summit. This year's summit discussed the theme of deepening the relationship between the two countries. At this session, His Majesty in his titah remarked that the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Cooperation Partnership between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea would help ASEAN to realize its vision of an ASEAN community.

His Majesty noted that the Joint Declaration also highlighted the positive developments in economic relations and in this regard His Majesty welcomed the launching of negotiations for an ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area early next year.

Following the Summit, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam joined other Heads of State and Government of ASEAN and the Republic of Korea for the signing ceremony on the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Cooperation Partnership between the leaders of ASEAN and Korea.

His Majesty then attended a working lunch hosted by the President of Laos, His Excellency Mr. Khamtay Siphandone, in honour of the Heads of State and Government of ASEAN, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.
PMO-Net Project to speed up e-government transformation process
The Prime Minister's Department is increasing its endeavour to speed up the e-government transformation process as a preparation in facing future challenges. One of the measures taken was to implement the PMO-Net project.

Speaking at the 2nd PMO-Net Roadshow Tuesday, the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Sulaiman said PMO-Net project is to ensure a successful implementation of PMO Online. Dato Haji Sulaiman added the E-Government and PMO Online do not only require a transfer from a system based on paper to electronic system but it also needs commitment and cooperation from all officers and staff of the department and the departments under it for it to be successful.

The 2nd roadshow was to give more exposure and participation to all officers and staff of the 21 departments under the Prime Ministers Department in the application of software and the information technology infrastructure that will be implemented early next year. During the roadshow, a PMO Online Prototype was introduced to give a preview on the system to be used in the project.
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