'Develop Tasek Merimbun site'

STATE Legislative Council members yesterday made a number of suggestions to improve the country's tourism industry, including the creation of a tourist centre around national housing areas to showcase its uniqueness to tourists.

Hj Mohd Shafiee Ahmad, representative of Belait District, raised the suggestion, to which Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar said it would be considered.

At the same time, the ministry will continue with the homestay programme for tourists to stay with local families, which could then be extended to the housing area, he said yesterday morning.

Tutong representative Orang Kaya Jaya Putera Dato Paduka Hj Muhammad Taha Abd Rauf, said that Tasek Merimbun is in need of development as it is one of the country's main tourist attractions, and is a national heritage that should be further capitalised.

"To enhance the tourism industry, we need better facilities such as roads to help visitors experience and see the local handicrafts of our people," he said, adding that Brunei will develop if Tasek Merimbun improves.

Pehin Dato Hj Yahya said that the development will continue to be monitored and would involve other relevant government agencies, as Tasek Merimbun has been identified as an Asean heritage.

Another Legislative Council member Dato Paduka Hj Idris Hj Abas asked how far has tourism contributed to the economy and whether it has achieved its objectives.

He believes that Brunei has the infrastructure to develop and assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including hotels.

He further asked what was the next step that would be taken to boost tourism, especially when many countries are facing recession, as well as how can the Heart of Borneo initiative be made into sustainable tourism, as the budget allocated for the Tourism Development Department at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources was the lowest.

The minister replied that even though the operational budget is low, it has already allocated $4 million for the development of tourism.

"As the HoB is still ongoing, we are in the midst of appointing an executive officer who will assist management and other activities to achieve the initiative," he said.

The contribution of the tourism sector, including the Know Your Country (KNK) campaign, could not be achieved, if we don't actively develop and provide infastructure to attract tourists and diversify the economy, he said.

Pehin Dato Hj Yahya said he will disclose the figures of the total amount of contribution by the tourism sector at a later date. The minister further said that the Outbound Educational Centre will be implemented soon, as it was raised by Belait representative Hj Shafiee on the delay in developing the centre.

Meanwhile, the Ulu Belalong Outward Bound will be looked into to determine the sustainability of the area, the minister said.

Hj Sulaiman Hj Ahad, Temburong representative, asked the status of Batu Apoi Industrial Site with 13 lots and 3.79 hectares, which have been abandoned for 10 years with no development in sight.

Pehin Yahya replied that one applicant has successfully obtained the licence, but "no one is taking the opportunity, however it is under consideration to change the conditions of the site," he added. (SHS1)

The Brunei Times