[asia-apec 1575] APEC - Borneo Bulletin Online, Brunei

[APEC Monitoring Group]

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2000

Reaping the benefits from APEC 2000
By Jacky Lim & Mohd. Azrol Azmi
The Information Department organised a briefing yesterday on APEC 2000 at
the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources. This 9th Courtesy briefing
was given to Heads of Departments, Deputy Heads of Departments and Assistant
Heads of Departments from the Government sector.
The Director of the Information Department, Abd Ghani Pg Hj Metusin chaired
the briefing. He said that the briefing was aimed at expressing the
country's commitment and dedication to as well as detailing the preparations
for the APEC 2000 Summit.

The briefing not only provided information and allowed guests to share their
knowledge but also acted as a medium to pass information onto the staff of
the respective Government Departments.

Also present to brief the Government Heads of Departments, was a
representative from the APEC Secretariat, Awang Haji Mohd Hamid bin Hj Mohd
Jaafar, APEC National Secretariat Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

There are a few benefits for the country in hosting the APEC 2000 explained
Awang Hj Mohd Hamid. APEC 2000 will put Brunei on the global Business
Ventures map and attract the attention of companies seeking partners in the
South East Asian region.

Awang Hj Mohd Hamid said that the SMEs in Brunei will also benefit and be
able to expand as well as lure additional investment. A good business
venture will be able to create more job opportunities for young Bruneians.
This in turn will raise the people's standard of living and stabilise the
economy.

Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (ret) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj
Mohammad Bin Hj Daud, the Executive Director APEC2000, Ministry Of Foreign
Affairs highlighted the shortage of vehicles and accommodation for the APEC
delegates.