‘Improving living quality top priority'
By Laila Rahman & Lyna Mohammad

The Minister of Development visiting one of the booths. Photo: Rudolf Portillo

The leadership, which is spearheaded by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, will continue to be responsible in maintaining and upgrading the comfort and prosperity of the nation and its people.

The Minister of Development, Dato Dr Hj Ahmad Hj Jumat noted this in his speech at the official opening of the HABITEX 2003, held yesterday at the Housing Development Department in Old Airport, Berakas.

Every developing nation has its own desires and aims, which include upgrading the living quality of its people. Part of this role is carried out by the Housing Development Department, whose main concentration is to provide housing for qualified citizens.

"Despite the comfort and prosperity of the nation, we should also face the fact that we are now living in a challenging era with various problems and competition that need to be encountered, conquered and tackled in our daily life as a citizen, public member and as a nation," the Minister stated.

The HABITEX exhibition, held for the fifth time, is organised in conjunction with the 2003 World Habitat Day, which falls on the first Monday of October. The theme for this year is "Water and Sanitation for Cities".

Among the objectives of the exhibition are to provide the opportunity for exhibitors to display Housing, Construction and Technology Industry related activities such as building construction, architecture consultant/engineering, product and materials, interior design, information technology, safety equipment and so on.

This is also an opportunity for them to introduce or promote new products and to foster joint venture networks in order to expand their business field.

The exhibition which runs until October 12 is open to the public from 8.30 am to 8.00 pm, and is located at the lobby area of the first and ground floor of the HDD and DES building.

A total of 23 exhibitors are participating in the exhibition including the Housing Development Department (HDD) as well as banks comprising Takaful IBB, Takaful IDBB Sdn Bhd and Insurans Islam TAIB Sdn Bhd.

Another activity that has been lined-up by the department is a Fiesta Bazaar which will be held this coming Friday, October 10, at the Kg Anggerek Desa Commercial Complex.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin