| Aziz Idris |
OVER 60 booths were set up at the official opening ceremony for the Brunei December Festival 2018 at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien yesterday.
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 toured the booths after officiating the festival and the Cycling Expedition as part of Bandarku Ceria programme.
Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The booths comprised event management companies in different categories such as food, religion, sports and adventure, culture and creative arts, as well as recreation and shopping.
His Majesty’s presence was meaningful and gave an opportunity for vendors to express the gratitude to their monarch while showcasing fun-filled activities at the festival.
This is befitting His Majesty’s personal aspiration on the role of youth as many young entrepreneurs or start-up companies are involved in this year’s festival.
Business activities are part and parcel of the ongoing Bandarku Ceria programme. Small enter-prises responded positively as the business activities provide them an extra income.
Royal Thai Embassy in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesi-an High Commission in Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Association of Hotels, homestay accommodations, Royal Brunei Airlines, Laksamana College of Business and sponsors were among the participants.
The Brunei Tourism Board aims to hold the Brunei December Festival as an annual event to promote Brunei Darussalam as a holiday destination as well as to spur economic activities in the country.