MIPR bids farewell to Sedco delegates

THE Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) hosted a farewell dinner for the delegates from the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco) who were in their final days of their four-day working visit in the Sultanate yesterday.

Present to welcome the Sabah delegates was the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar.

The delegation's visit to the Sultanate was aimed at exploring areas to bolster bilateral and trade relations between the Sultanate and the Malaysian State.

Among the places the delegates have visited throughout their stay in the country were the MIPR building, , the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA), the Mahkota Crystal Sdn Bhd in the Lambak Kanan Industrial Area, and the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB).

During the dinner, the Chairman of Sedco Datuk Hj Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif expressed his appreciation to the ministry and all relevant agencies involved for the warm hospitality given to them throughout their four-day visit programmes in the Sultanate, and hoped that the relations between Brunei and Sabah will be further strengthened in terms of economic development, particularly in tourism and the halal brand trade.

The chairman also said that Brunei has a lot to offer in terms of promoting its tourism as the country has rich diversity of fascinating species of flora and fauna still well-preserved, as well as its rich cultural heritage, customs and its important role as a strong Muslim nation. He termed these attractions as "extraordinary".

The farewell dinner was specially held at Zyan Restaurant at the Mangrove Paradise Resort located in Kg Sungai Belukut, Mentiri. The resort was opened in October last year as an initiative by the private sector in its contribution to improve domestic tourism in the country. Stuated on the bank of the Brunei River, the resort is built above the water and look much like the houses in Kampong Ayer.

It offers a magnificent view of the Brunei River and has proven to be a big hit among local and foreign visitors since its launch.

Also attending the dinner was MIPR deputy minister Dato Paduka Hj Hamdillah Hj Abdul Wahab and the Tourism Board Director Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed.

The minister and the delegates also took the opportunity to tour the resort's other facilities including one of the 15 fully-furnished chalets, a spa, a conference room and a surau.

The delegates is expected to return home to Sabah this morning.

The Brunei Times