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Royal Update On Economic Diversification
By Sonia K.

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Deputy Sultan, yesterday consented to make a working visit to the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) to get an update on the country's economic diversification.

His Royal Highness was greeted by the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Hj Ahmad, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, Dato Seri Paduka Haji Eussoff Agaki, Acting Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Dayang Hajah Salbiah, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid bin Hi Jaafar, and senior officers.

His Royal Highness was informed by the Minister of the MIPR's role in implementing the policy to diversify the economy so that the country does not depend only on oil and gas.

The ministry is also developing an entrepreneurial society, especially among the Brunei Malays, to strengthen the private sector's economic role.

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The Minister said since the start of the economic diversification policy in 1991, the non-oil sector's contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has shown an encouraging and positive growth.

The non-oil sector's GDP contribution in 1991 was 37.7 per cent. According to recent statistics released by the Economic Planning and Development Department on August 15, 2006, the non-oil-sector's GDP contribution is 43 per cent - 15 per cent from the government sector and 28 per cent from private sector. The oil sector contributed 57 per cent.

His Royal Highness viewed a corporate video on the structure and functions of the ministry, which was presented by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid bin Hj Jaafar.

The Permanent Secretary highlighted the vision of the ministry, "Brunei -A Diversified, Competitive and Sustainable Economy" which aims to accelerate sustainable economic diversification by facilitating, developing and strengthening trade, competitive industries and dynamic entrepreneurs.

His Royal Highness expressed his views on Syarikat Jerambak Holding Proprietary Limited and Semaun Holdings Sendirian Berhad, the development of Small and Medium Enterprises as well as the efforts in diversifying the economy to increase the country's revenues through the non-oil and gas sector. His Royal Highness also spoke on the plans of the Tourism Development Department to attract more tourists to the country and at the same time create job opportunities.

The Deputy Sultan visited three departments under the ministry - Fisheries Department, Tourism Development Department and Forestry Department.

His Royal Highness also visited the IT Data Centre after viewing the exhibition at the Entrepreneur Development Centre before having lunch at a hotel in Berakas with senior officers from the ministry, entrepreneurs and staff of the ministry and departments.

In the afternoon, His Royal Highness visited the Agriculture Department in Berakas for a briefing by its Director, Pengiran Hajah Mariana binti Pengiran Dipa Negara Laila Di Raja Pengiran Haji Abdul Momin. His Royal Highness enquired about the development of Small and Medium Enterprises.

HRH who is Chairman of the National Disaster Council and Chairman of the Brunei Darussalam National Committee for handling Influenza Pandemic visited the Bilik Gerakan Jabatan Pertanian for handling Bird Flu Disease, Quarantine Unit/Animal and Import Permit Counter, as well as the Information Technology Unit. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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