| Rokiah Mahmud |
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, and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam yesterday attended the Knowledge Convention 2018 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.
Upon arrival, Their Majesties were greeted by Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong; Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud; Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah; and Minister of Energy, Manpower and Industry Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mat Suny bin Haji Mohd Hussein, in their capacity as the Co-Chairmen of the Steering Committee for the Knowledge Convention 2018.
Their Majesties were also greeted by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, as the Advisor to the committee.
Accompanying Their Majesties to the Knowledge Convention 2018 were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri 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.
In his welcoming address, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism explained that this year’s Knowledge Convention has adopted ‘Agricultural Sector: the Survivability of the People and Nation’ as its main theme.
“The agricultural sector in our country has shown tremendous progress over the past 20 years, during which the output from this sector has grown at an average rate of 7.71 per cent per annum, which is BND93 million in 1998 to BND380 million in 2017.
“This achievement is led by the increase in output from two main sectors: livestock and crops farming.
“The output of the livestock sector grew at an average rate of 6.03 per cent per year, from BND66 million in 1998 to BND200 million in 2017.
“Meanwhile, the output from the crop sector, including paddy plantation, grew at an average rate of 4.28 per cent a year, from BND27 million in 1998 to BND60 million in 2017.
“For the fisheries sector, the country has witnessed an encouraging progress. The output of this sector is growing at an average rate of 5.15 per cent per annum, from BND43 million in 1998 to BND112 million in 2017.”
The minister added, “The country also witnessed landscape changes in the development of industries in this sector, particularly in the rapid increase of aquaculture and fish processing industries.
“The aquaculture industry, for example, has shown rapid development. The industry is growing at an average of 16.89 per cent per annum, from BND2 million a year in 1998 to BND17 million in 2017. Meanwhile, the fish processing industry expanded at an average of 14.13 per cent yearly, from BND2 million in 1998 to BND22 million in 2017.
“Therefore, the direction for this sector is geared towards the growth of industrial output based on agriculture and agribusiness through increase in productivity and high technology, not just to meet local requirements, but to drive the development of downstream and domestic value-added, and also to penetrate the export
market.”
The ceremony then continued with a titah delivered by His Majesty.
This was followed with a special lecture by the State Mufti, on the theme of this year’s Knowledge Convention.
Their Majesties then proceeded to the Royal Lounge to sign on the royal parchment for the Knowledge Convention 2018, which was followed with a group photo. Their Majesties also toured the exhibition at the Balai Kenangan Al-Marhum Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, which is located at the Press Conference Hall of the ICC.
His Majesty officiated the launching of the Knowledge Convention Exhibition 2018, before taking a close look at the displays.