Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Brunei Darussalam’s Ambassador-at-Large has attended a joint media conference for the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, during which it was announced that Brunei Darussalam has now become a founding member of the agreement.
 

During the media conference, Her Royal Highness together with the Chilean Foreign Minister, His Excellency Ignacio Walker, New Zealand Minister for Trade Negotiations, The Honourable Mr. Jim Sutton, and Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry, His Excellency Lim Hng Kiang announced the successful conclusion of negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement.
 

With the announcement, Brunei Darussalam is now a founding member of the agreement on terms that would allow Brunei to progressively implement some of its commitments over the next two years. This partnership also bridges some of the major free trade areas in the Asia-Pacific region. The ministers stated that the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership would bring strategic benefits to all four partners and help advance shared objectives in APEC and World Trade Organisation. The agreement is expected to enter into force on the first of January next year.

Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna attended a retreat of APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Retreat Session in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. The Director-General of the World Trade Organization, WTO, Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, briefed the meeting on the latest developments in WTO Doha Development Agenda negotiations. Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna thanked Dr. Supachai for his efforts over the last three years in advancing the Doha Development Agenda.
 

During the session, the APEC Ministers also discussed the APEC Mid-Term Stock-Take process for the Bogor Goals of freer and more open trade in the Asia-Pacific region by 2020. The Mid-Term Stock-Take is an evaluation process undertaken by APEC member economies to assess their progress in achieving the Bogor Goals. The ministers also heard a report on the outcome and recommendation by the recently concluded Mid-Term Stock-Take Symposium held on the 28th May. One of the recommendations of the symposium is the establishment of a focused and realistic roadmap.
 

At the conclusion of the meeting, APEC Trade Ministers have pledged to lend joint support to ensuring a successful conclusion to the planned WTO Ministerial Conference in December. At the conclusion of their annual meeting this year, ministers endorsed a statement by the chief highlighting a series of joint commitments. These include planned actions to the WTO DOHA Development Agenda together with a range of other issues including capacity building and ongoing trade facilitation measures.

Thirty members of the Pertiwi Association Friday visited the Pusat Ehsan in Bengkurong. The delegation was led by the President of the Pertiwi Association, Datin Paduka Hajah Jusnani binti Haji Lawi.
 

During the visit, the association donated a sum of two thousand dollars to the centre. The President of the Pertiwi Association presented the donation to the Chairperson of the Executive Committee of Pusat Ehsan, Pengiran Datin Hajah Noraini.

Volunteers of the residents of Kampung Lurong Sikuna, Friday worked hand in hand to help repair parts of a house belonging to Awang Mohammad bin Bidin. The lending hands were given to help the four orphans adopted by Awang Mohammad bin Bidin.
 

The initiative was jointly conducted by the Brunei Muara District Office and the Kampung Lurong Sikuna Consultative Council. The tradition of working in a group voluntarily or famously known as ‘memucang-mucang’ truly shows the care and togetherness among Bruneians.

In local football league results, B-League 2005 Premier League one; QAF FC defeated Bandaran KB by nine goals to four. The match was played at the Youth and Sports Field in Berakas.
 

Meanwhile, in B-League 2005 Premier League Two; Majra FC defeated Kg. Kilanas Youth Association, 5-2. The match took place at the Sungai Kebun Sports Complex.