The Daily Brunei Resources

The Oxford Business Group on 30 October 2015 reported the following: +++++ Brunei Darussalam Eyes Pacific Trade Benefits Foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade in Brunei Darussalam are expected to increase under the recently agreed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal, dovetailing with the Sultanate’s efforts to diversify its economy. Trade growth would be welcome news given the current economic climate. According to the latest figures from Brunei’s Department of Economic Planning and Development, total trade was down 26.6% year-to-date in July at BN7.9bn ($5.6bn), with exports down 35.2% year-on-year, while imports rose by 5.2%. Trade talks The TPP marks an expansion of the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement, set up by Brunei, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore in 2006. The proposed addition of Australia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the US and Vietnam, first mooted in 2008, will change the bloc’s composition significantly, with the new group acco...

With the appointment of several Permanent Secretaries as a Minister and Deputy Ministers in the new cabinet as well as new ministerial portfolios, new Permanent Secretaries and Deputy Permanent Secretaries were appointed last night 3rd November 2015. The Updated List of Permanent Secretaries and Deputy Permanent Secretaries is as follows in order of protocol: PERMANENT SECRETARIES Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Yahya bin Haji Idris (Corporate Affairs and Civil Service) Dato Paduka Haji Jamain bin Haji Julaihi (Energy) Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sulaiman (R&D, Economy and Finance) Haji Mohd Rozan bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos (Media and Cabinet) Dato Paduka Haji Joanda HA Rashid (Law and Welfare) Adi Shamsul bin Haji Sabli (Industry) Pengiran Datin Shazainah bte Pg Dato Paduka Shariffudin (International) Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) Datin Paduka Hajah Suriyah binti Haji Umar Ministry of Finance (MOF) Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohammad Eddie bin Dato Paduka Haji Sunny Mi...

New RBPF headquarters commences operations on: November 01, 2015 | James Kon | THE Royal Brunei Police Force’s (RBPF) new headquarters, located on Jalan Tungku, Gadong, has commenced operations. The new headquarters accommodates the Administration and Finance Department, the Procurement Division, and the Agency Licensing Authority and Register of Societies Division. Members of the public will need to register first at the counter on the ground floor prior to entering the new headquarters. The Training Unit under the Administration and Finance Department is also located at the new headquarters, where members of the public can obtain new ASP and Inspector intake forms. The building also houses the finance counter service, where members of the public can make payments for Certificates of Good Conduct, Police Escort, Registration of Association, tenders, Permit for Import and Storing of Weapons and Explosive Materials as well as licences. For any inquiries regarding the services...

S&P’s top rating catapults BIBD into global orbit on: October 31, 2015 | Azaraimy HH | GLOBAL ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has assigned an investment grade credit rating of A- with a stable outlook to Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), the largest bank in the Sultanate, its managing director announced yesterday. The rating acknowledges the bank’s strong capacity to meet its financial commitments and makes BIBD the safest and top-rated financial institution in Brunei Darussalam, Javed Ahmad said. With the top rating it received from one of the world’s leading credit agencies, the bank is now looking to bolster its operations in alliance with other major Islamic banks such as those in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and other countries, he said, addressing a press conference. With this recognition, Javed said, “BIBD will be more than honoured in providing international financing services such as issuance of letter of credit to its clients, ...

Sultan chairs Cabinet meeting on: October 30, 2015 | Danial Norjidi | A CABINET Ministers’ meeting was held yesterday morning at the Istana Nurul Iman. It was chaired by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Also present was His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office. The meeting was also attended by Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Home Affairs; Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, the Minister of Education; Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of F...

Brunei passport 18th best in world on: October 24, 2015 | Azlan Othman | DOES the size of a country matter? No, says Brunei Darussalam’s passport, continuing its powerful journey allowing its holder to move across borders without undergoing the bureaucratic ordeals of a cumbersome visa application process. The Bruneian passport was ranked 18th best in the world in the latest Visa Restrictions Index published by Henley & Partners, global leaders in residence and citizenship planning. According to the index, holders of Bruneian passports can travel to 150 countries without visas. A passport from a country in good global standing is a powerful thing. The Sultanate shared the same spot with Argentina, Chile and Bulgaria in the index which was prepared after evaluating passports of 199 countries.In Southeast Asia, Singapore continues to lead the region, ranking 5th globally with visa-free access to 169 countries, followed by Malaysia with visa-free travel to 163 countries. Germa...

Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office pours concrete at the foundation laying ceremony. PHOTO: BAHYIAH BAKIR BSP JV to boost local employment on: October 25, 2015 | Hakim Hayat | A MULTI-MILLION dollar joint venture project between Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP) and two Japanese steel giants for the provision of the country’s very first Integrated Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) supply and threading plant is expected to increase local employment and enhance Brunei’s capabilities, the Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar said yesterday. The minister made this remark in his speech during the foundation laying ceremony for the OCTG plant’s construction site in Salambigar Industrial Park yesterday. Signed in November last year, the 10-year renewable contract between BSP and Japanese firms Nippon Steel & ...