By June Ong
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Haji Abdul Rahman, the Acting Director General,
International Relations and Trade Development, MIPR,
making the closing remarks. Beside him is Mr Omar Halim,
Executive Director of NAM Centre for South South
Technical Cooperation.
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Participants present at the closing meeting of experts
and decision-makers amongst NAM member countries. Pix:
June Ong
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The NAM CSSTC's two-day meeting of experts and decision-makers
amongst NAM member countries on "Government and Business
Collaboration in Addressing WTO-Related Issues" came to a
close yesterday afternoon at Sheraton Utama Hotel.
For the past two days,
participants in the meeting discussed ways on how NAM member
countries can work together to make the WTO work for the
betterment of our peoples, said Haji Abdul Rahman Haji Chuchu,
the Acting Director General of International Relations and Trade
Development at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources in
his closing remarks.
The WTO is considered an
important vehicle for increasing trade, investment and economic
growth. Common concerns shared included agriculture,
manufacturing, services and TRIPs (Trade Related Intellectual
Property Rights), added Haji Abdul Rahman.
"We also want to broaden
the benefits of free trade by enhancing the participation of
SMEs in open trade and strengthen their competitiveness.
Similarly, we also take the view that developing countries
should cooperate more meaningfully in presenting their case in
the WTO negotiations," said Haji Abdul Rahman, adding that
the meeting was another big step in moving the agenda forward.
He added that it is hoped that
this spirit of cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and other
NAM member countries will continue to deepen in the future and
translated into increased trade, investment and tourism
exchanges between ourselves.
Also present to give concluding
remarks at the meeting was Mr Omar Halim, Executive Director of
NAM Centre for South-South Technical Cooperation, distinguished
experts including a total of 14 NAM member countries, including
the Sultanate, representatives from the Ministry of Health,
Finance, Foreign Affairs, MIPR, members of business association
and as well as from the National Chamber of Commerce.
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