All-round support for $4.6b Brunei budget growth targets
Thursday, March 8, 2007
THE $4.6 billion proposed budget for the 2007-2008 fiscal year received a volley of support from the State Legislative Council members yesterday, particularly the suggested provisions for the development of the private and non-oil sectors.
Convening once again at the International Convention Centre, where His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on Tuesday opened the annual meeting, the 26 council members resumed discussions on the budget expenditure for the fiscal year 2007/2008.
According to the Minister of Finance II, Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Hj Awg Abdul Rahman Hj Ibrahim, in his presentation of the annual budget on Tuesday, the monetary allocation will be sourced particularly to five priority areas: national safety and security; development of the private sector and non-oil sector; human resource development, capacity building and youth development; development of infrastructure and public utilities; and public awareness programme.
One of the initiatives proposed under the private and non oil sector development that received a positive response was the Satu Mukim Satu Produk or One Mukim One Product programme, which involves the facilitation of mukim-level economic activities that can at the same time provide employment for the youth in these mukims.
Council member Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya Awg Hj Othman Uking commended the proposal, noting that farmers especially can benefit from it. He pointed out that under a government subsidised agricultural scheme, local farmers have successfully produced various tropical fruits.
However, he continued, given the abundance of such produce, the farmers were unable to sell the surplus fruits. The One Mukim One product scheme, in which a mukim specialises in the production of a certain fruit, can benefit the farmers and avoid wastage from excess produce.
Council member Major (Rtd) Awg Hj Abu Bakar Hj Ibrahim also supported the notion, which he said can be developed to support the mukim and provide employment to its people.
He also suggested for the provision of a site for each mukim, equipped the relevant infrastructure, facilities and training, where mukim members can develop souvenir products that can then be sold to tourists particularly foreign dignitaries as memorabilia.
Meanwhile, Dato Paduka Awg Hj Idris Hj Abas also forwarded his support of the programmes under revitalising the private and non-oil sector. These include provision of entrepreneurship programmes, investment promotion programmes to attract the interest of multinational corporations and the One mukim One product bid.
However, he stressed upon the need to produce a more disciplined and independent society who are more entreprising.
In addition to promotion of the private sector, plans and budget allocation for development of education, human resource and capacity building also received approval.
Orang Kaya Jaya Putera Awang Hj Mohd Taha Abd Rauf, noted that among the projects proposed was the establishment of vocational schools. He raised the issue of a building designed for vocational education in the Tutong district, which has since been used for the Muda Hashim Middle School.
In this regard, the council member expressed the hope that the budget would be allocated to ensure the proper maintenance of such buildings, not just in Tutong but in all districts of the nation.
Another council member, meanwhile, proposed that more financial assistance be given to all districts in order to develop their tourism potential.
Awg Hj Sulaiman Hj Ahad pointed out the tourism potential of Brunei's districts, in particular highlighting the Temburong district which has rich flora and fauna that can be an attraction for tourists.
He added that the district had arranged various recreation and tourism activities, such as the Bukit Patoi Challenge. However, he also said that further efforts towards promoting the district was impeded by lack of financial assistance.
The Brunei Times
Convening once again at the International Convention Centre, where His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on Tuesday opened the annual meeting, the 26 council members resumed discussions on the budget expenditure for the fiscal year 2007/2008.
According to the Minister of Finance II, Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Hj Awg Abdul Rahman Hj Ibrahim, in his presentation of the annual budget on Tuesday, the monetary allocation will be sourced particularly to five priority areas: national safety and security; development of the private sector and non-oil sector; human resource development, capacity building and youth development; development of infrastructure and public utilities; and public awareness programme.
One of the initiatives proposed under the private and non oil sector development that received a positive response was the Satu Mukim Satu Produk or One Mukim One Product programme, which involves the facilitation of mukim-level economic activities that can at the same time provide employment for the youth in these mukims.
Council member Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya Awg Hj Othman Uking commended the proposal, noting that farmers especially can benefit from it. He pointed out that under a government subsidised agricultural scheme, local farmers have successfully produced various tropical fruits.
However, he continued, given the abundance of such produce, the farmers were unable to sell the surplus fruits. The One Mukim One product scheme, in which a mukim specialises in the production of a certain fruit, can benefit the farmers and avoid wastage from excess produce.
Council member Major (Rtd) Awg Hj Abu Bakar Hj Ibrahim also supported the notion, which he said can be developed to support the mukim and provide employment to its people.
He also suggested for the provision of a site for each mukim, equipped the relevant infrastructure, facilities and training, where mukim members can develop souvenir products that can then be sold to tourists particularly foreign dignitaries as memorabilia.
Meanwhile, Dato Paduka Awg Hj Idris Hj Abas also forwarded his support of the programmes under revitalising the private and non-oil sector. These include provision of entrepreneurship programmes, investment promotion programmes to attract the interest of multinational corporations and the One mukim One product bid.
However, he stressed upon the need to produce a more disciplined and independent society who are more entreprising.
In addition to promotion of the private sector, plans and budget allocation for development of education, human resource and capacity building also received approval.
Orang Kaya Jaya Putera Awang Hj Mohd Taha Abd Rauf, noted that among the projects proposed was the establishment of vocational schools. He raised the issue of a building designed for vocational education in the Tutong district, which has since been used for the Muda Hashim Middle School.
In this regard, the council member expressed the hope that the budget would be allocated to ensure the proper maintenance of such buildings, not just in Tutong but in all districts of the nation.
Another council member, meanwhile, proposed that more financial assistance be given to all districts in order to develop their tourism potential.
Awg Hj Sulaiman Hj Ahad pointed out the tourism potential of Brunei's districts, in particular highlighting the Temburong district which has rich flora and fauna that can be an attraction for tourists.
He added that the district had arranged various recreation and tourism activities, such as the Bukit Patoi Challenge. However, he also said that further efforts towards promoting the district was impeded by lack of financial assistance.
The Brunei Times
Business Besides Oil
