Mediciness: Brunei Has Huge Potential
By Sobrina Rosli

Bandar Seri Begawan- MEMBERS of Germany's Bundestag, who arrived in Brunei on Friday, highlighted the importance of protecting Brunei's largely untouched forests, noting the sultanate's potential to develop a pharmaceutical industry.

In an interview with The Brunei Times, Dr Klaus W Lippold said, "We take the issue of the environment with great importance', particularly these days as it concerns climate change".

"It is very important that we try every possible (means to address the issue). We can do this by reducing carbon dioxide emissions, which means we have to save energy. On the other hand, it means we also have to make more use of renewable energy, which has low carbon dioxide emissions," he said.

The potential use of solar and hydrogen technology. was also discussed in meetings with Brunei officials.

On Brunei's rainforest, he said, "We are impressed with the richness of biodiversity you have here in Brunei, much more than what we have in Germany in terms of both species and plants, and it is not just a treasure of nature, but this could also be a treasure for industrial development too, he said.

Dr Klaus thinks that Brunei has a potential in developing medicines given Brunei's rich biodiversity, which can serve as raw material for the drugs.

Also discussed was a plan to build a harbour in the sultanate.

"This is one of Brunei's efforts in venturing into industries away from the oil and gas sectors. Brunei wants to become a big player in the exchange of goods," he added.

Another delegate, Holger Ortel, said, "We all agree that it would be best to develop the harbour step by step, but basically quality planning should be made between the logistics and the relevant port agencies."

The German representatives also talked on a possible cooperation in the ship building sector.

"We have demonstrated that we are able to serve the needs of this country in this field, it will be considered and we would be in touch again via our embassies," said Hellmut Kongishaus, another delegate.

The Germans also met with the National Development Party, where the party briefed them on the sultanate's health and tax systems.

"As a European, it is astonishing to see a country where people don't have to pay taxes while providing free healthcare," he added. "Therefore the people in Brunei are satisfied and happy." -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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