French ambassador bids farewell to Brunei
Good memories: French Ambassador to Brunei, His Excellency Patrick Bonneville (R) speaking, while his spouse stands by his side, during the farewell dinner held in his honour at the residence of Pierre Imhof, the general manager of Baiduri Bank Bhd in Kg Bengkurong. Picture: Ubaidillah Masli
Sunday, July 6, 2008
AFTER having spent three memorable years in the Sultanate, the French ambassador to Brunei, His Excellency Patrick Bonneville has concluded his term.
The Brunei Times had the opportunity to speak with the ambassador about the advancements he has helped to achieve during his stay in the country.
According to HE Bonneville, the "most important" achievement he has helped to contribute to was the strengthening of political relations between France and Brunei.
He highlighted the recent visit of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam to the Republic of France, where His Majesty met with French president, Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris earlier this year.
Over the past three years, Bonneville felt that he has also contributed to enhance the cultural and economic relations between the two nations. "On other levels, we have also achieved social cooperation between France and Brunei in the academic field," Bonneville said.
He stated that agreements between French universities and Universiti Brunei Darussalam were on last stages.
He explained that these agreements provided the possibility of future joint research between the higher educational institutions of both nations in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, biodiversity and language.
He expressed his hope that the collaboration would increase student exchange between the two countries.
"I hope this progress will go on bring about new dimensions," he added.
Bonneville also spoke of French companies in Brunei which can develop and expand.
He said that Total E&P Borneo BV had the potential to be one of the major companies in the country.
He also spoke of his involvement with the French Bruneian Business Association (FBBA).
He regarded the FBBA as one of the most dynamic and active foreign business association in Brunei.
Role of Alliance Francaise was also highlighted by the French ambassador.
Patrick Bonneville, born on the Fourth of June, 1949, is a holder as a Bachelor of Arts (English), has achieved a Diploma of Higher Studies in Political Sciences and has a Decree of General University Studies in foreign literature and civilisation (Japanese).
The French ambassador also commented that he would always remember his experience here in the sultanate as well as the people who he described as "friendly and always smiling".
He said the Bruneian people were very "welcoming" and in that respect, he regretted the fact that he would be leaving the "Abode of Peace".
Bonneville is due to depart from Brunei on July 16, a day after celebrating His Majesty's 62nd birthday.
A farewell dinner was held in his honour yesterday evening.
The Brunei Times
The Brunei Times had the opportunity to speak with the ambassador about the advancements he has helped to achieve during his stay in the country.
According to HE Bonneville, the "most important" achievement he has helped to contribute to was the strengthening of political relations between France and Brunei.
He highlighted the recent visit of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam to the Republic of France, where His Majesty met with French president, Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris earlier this year.
Over the past three years, Bonneville felt that he has also contributed to enhance the cultural and economic relations between the two nations. "On other levels, we have also achieved social cooperation between France and Brunei in the academic field," Bonneville said.
He stated that agreements between French universities and Universiti Brunei Darussalam were on last stages.
He explained that these agreements provided the possibility of future joint research between the higher educational institutions of both nations in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, biodiversity and language.
He expressed his hope that the collaboration would increase student exchange between the two countries.
"I hope this progress will go on bring about new dimensions," he added.
Bonneville also spoke of French companies in Brunei which can develop and expand.
He said that Total E&P Borneo BV had the potential to be one of the major companies in the country.
He also spoke of his involvement with the French Bruneian Business Association (FBBA).
He regarded the FBBA as one of the most dynamic and active foreign business association in Brunei.
Role of Alliance Francaise was also highlighted by the French ambassador.
Patrick Bonneville, born on the Fourth of June, 1949, is a holder as a Bachelor of Arts (English), has achieved a Diploma of Higher Studies in Political Sciences and has a Decree of General University Studies in foreign literature and civilisation (Japanese).
The French ambassador also commented that he would always remember his experience here in the sultanate as well as the people who he described as "friendly and always smiling".
He said the Bruneian people were very "welcoming" and in that respect, he regretted the fact that he would be leaving the "Abode of Peace".
Bonneville is due to depart from Brunei on July 16, a day after celebrating His Majesty's 62nd birthday.
A farewell dinner was held in his honour yesterday evening.
The Brunei Times
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