Segala Brunei→banar banar semua ada bah!⤴︎

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 highlighted optimistic developments in the nation during a *titah* delivered in conjunction with His Majesty’s 78th birthday celebration. In the titah, His Majesty expressed gratitude that the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the non-oil and gas sector saw positive growth last year, recording an increase of 4.5 per cent as well as a 59.8-per-cent increase of overall domestic exports in the sector. “The prospects of the country’s economic growth is even more promising,” said the monarch, noting that the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office projected the country’s GDP growth for 2024 to be at 2.7 per cent. Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank projects a growth of 3.7 per cent and the International Monetary Fund projects a 2.7 per cent growth based on the continuous growth in the downstream and food sector. The monarch also noted that the nation recorded a 6.8 per cent year-on-year growth in the first quarter of this year, emphasising that His Majesty’s Government will double the efforts in driving faster economic development in the coming years. Efforts to create more investment opportunities, jobs and the transfer of expertise and technology to the local workforce will continue to be upgraded, said the monarch, adding that this is linked to the huge potential coming from the development of the second phase of the Hengyi Industries integrated petrochemical and refining complex in Pulau Muara Besar; the expansion of Muara Port as well as the Integrated Marine Maintenance and Decommissioning Yard project. ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/udQ6rAMmuJkZGgj_T_tJ6-fCCbTMmDarZK7CialJouq.jpeg) 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, delivers a titah during the ceremony. Also present were Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Anisha Rosnah binti Adam; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah binti Dato Haji Nasir; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/StVtpcIyJVzMTwXTy6iU7-niwvuGwuc9X_hvdd3tR2G.jpeg) His Majesty during the ceremony. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI **DIGITAL PAYMENT HUB** “Priority continues to be given to the development of local entrepreneurs, with various programmes and initiatives introduced to further strengthen the capabilities of local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) ,” said the monarch. His Majesty said that this included revising the MSME policy towards a more conducive direction, expanding business networks and market access as well as organising training to upgrade entrepreneurial skills. In line with these efforts, the monarch said, the National Digital Payments Network Sdn Bhd will be launched in the near future to spearhead the development of a digital payment hub. His Majesty said the digital payment hub will have great potential in generating growth in cashless transactions through various platforms. **CLIMATE CHANGE COMMITMENTS** His Majesty highlighted that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the country’s diplomatic ties with other nations and its membership with regional and international organisations. “The foreign policy implemented during these four decades has enabled the country to maintain strong relationships and cooperation with strategic partners and the principles of cooperation and mutual understanding,” said the monarch, adding that it also emphasised the importance of implementing the nation’s commitments made at regional and international levels. This includes commitments made through the Paris Agreement, in which Brunei Darussalam has the target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent by 2030, said His Majesty. The monarch said the government is currently preparing a national adaptation plan, aimed at increasing resiliency on the impacts of climate change. “In carrying out development, environmental sustainability will continue to be the main agenda of the country as it will be inherited by future generations,” said His Majesty. **YOUTH AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT** His Majesty also underscored that the youth should continue to be given opportunities to act as drivers and movers of change, as this is their role and responsibilities in shaping the nation’s future. “This is in line with efforts to strengthen human capital development through an innovative education and training system to solidify marketability and skills of locals including youth in accordance with the need of industry, economy and professional body,” said the monarch. His Majesty noted that the government through the Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) in collaboration with Far Eastern University, the Philippines, has established the JPMC College of Health Sciences. The monarch said the institution is the first nursing private college in the country and is set to address the needs of the private and public sector for quality nurses. It also aims to be competitive at the international level in the future, said His Majesty. **AN OPTIMISTIC FUTURE** In the titah, His Majesty stressed that the country’s priority is still focused on realising the objectives of Brunei Vision 2035. The monarch believes that the country’s citizens and residents has matured after facing situations and uncertain conditions. His Majesty emphasised that with solidarity and strong cooperation among the citizens and residents, all challenging situations can be overcome. His Majesty shared his appreciation and thanks to all levels of the citizens and residents, public services personnel, security bodies and those in the private sector including those posted abroad for the contribution and support for the government as well as committee members of His Majesty’s 78th birthday celebration at national and district levels for their efforts and services. – Lyna Mohamad

Segala Brunei→banar banar semua ada bah!⤴︎

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