Her Royal Highness Princess Hajjah Masna highlights the importance of constantly updating the skills of the people to international level of competitiveness. Recalling a Titah by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam at an APEC meeting in Beijing four years ago, Her Royal Highness re-emphasises His Majesty's reminder that for the people to prosper in the New Economy, they must feel that they had a personal stake in its success. In this regards, Her Royal Highness says developing human resources is now an utmost priority in the National Development Plan. Her Royal Highness made the remark yesterday at the official opening of the first Brunei international Human Resource Development,HRD convention and exhibition 2005. Her Royal Highness says Brunei Darussalam has taken major steps to advance the status of Human Resource Development efforts.

Her Royal Highness also highlights that people's talents, skills and abilitiy to adapt to various changes and the wisdom of leaders to make good decisions are the fundamentals for the sucess of any organisation. The convention taking place in Brunei clearly acknowledges this and so do governments and all successful businesses.

The three days convention will provide programme participants with striking and informative keynote addresses, concurrent workshops, concurrent mega sessions, a case study as well as an exhibition. The overall aim of the convention is to contribute to ASEAN-EC management centre's strategies to strengthen the regional economy's demand in seeking a competent workforce. Her Royal Highness then consented to view an exhibitions featuring a showcase of local and international exhibitors. It's aim to educate the public on importance and challenges of human resources in this new economy.

Brunei Darussalam continues to intensify humanitarian efforts towards helping victims of the earthquake and tsumamis in Aceh. A Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing 767 is today airlifting e 15 tons of donated materials from the sultanate to Medan.

Te Brunei relief group eh has received praise from the World Health Organisation, W.H.O., for its efficient and systematic handling of the relief operation. Amid the activities, it is learnt that at this stage of the mission, clothing donations are not in such an urgent need for the time being. The group reported that the victims in Aceh needs of more cash donations, babies' milk and other foodstuff such as rice, sugar, coffee, drinking water and cooking utensils. Also needed urgently are medicines and telekung or all-white prayer robes for women.

Meanwhile, Brunei Darussalam's humanitarian relief operation in Aceh has been fully-mobilised. Nearly seven tonnes of aid in the form of medical, food, daily necessities, clothing including telekong or prayer attire and prayer mats and other requirments collected by the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation, Ministry of Health and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces were loaded at Brunei International Air Cargo Centre in Berakas. The Royal Brunei Airlines will transport the 15 to 20 tonnes of goods to Medan.

The Brunei Darussalam National Relief Fund for The Tsunami Victims still receiveing donations from various organisations and the public. The total amount cited yesterday was more than one million 673 thousand 100 dollars. The amount includes more than 62 thousand 550 dollars of donations pledged. Meanwhile, the amount of donations through the SMS Brunei Prihatin now stands at more than one hundred 73 thousand, three hundred and ten dollars ($173.310). The figure was quoted until 5 this afternoon.

The Brunei Association of Hotels with the co-operation of the Brunei Tourism Unit will be organizing a three days Food Festival starting on the 25th of next month. The highlight of The Food Festival called " THE BIG MAKAN 2005" will be the making of the longest "Pizza John" . The pizza john measuring one hundred and eleven metres long and 4 and the half meter will be on sale during the first day of the festival. The proceed from the sale will be contributed to the Brunei Darussalam Tsunami Relief Fund. Meanwhile, a signing ceremony has held between the Brunei Association of hotels and 7 major sponsors of the ' Big Makan 2005'. Food Festival. Brunei Association of Hotels Food Festival, is an event that is being highlighted in the Brunei Tourism's Calendar of this year. The 3-day festival will takes place at the front parking lot of the Royal Regalia Building.