Brunei and RI discuss business centers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Establishing joint business centers was one of
\nthe solutions agreed on by visiting Brunei Sultan Hassanal
\nBolkiah and President Abdurrahman Wahid to bridge the disparity
\nbetween bullock cart owners and Mercedes-Benz car owners.<\/p>\n
During a meeting here on Saturday, the two leaders agreed to
\ndevelop, together with Malaysia, business and industrial centers
\naround the border areas of the three countries on Borneo island.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab said joint
\neconomic activities would be able to reduce social tensions due
\nto the severe economic gap among the people living in the area.<\/p>\n
Alwi cited timber and pulp factories as among the most
\npotential sectors to be developed.<\/p>\n
"Our people near the border, for instance, see Bruneians
\ndriving Mercedes while they themselves only drive bullock carts.
\nSo in eliminating the jealousy, investment must be boosted around
\nthe borders," said Alwi after attending the meeting at Merdeka
\nPalace.<\/p>\n
The sultan arrived in Jakarta on Friday evening for a two-day
\nworking visit, as a courtesy following Abdurrahman's stop in
\nBandar Sri Begawan on Feb. 27.<\/p>\n
According to Alwi, Bolkiah asked Abdurrahman during the
\nmeeting about the latest developments in Indonesia, especially in
\nthe troubled provinces of Aceh, Maluku and North Maluku.<\/p>\n
The President also briefed Bolkiah on the planned signing of a
\nnote of understanding for a humanitarian pause between Indonesia
\nand the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in Geneva next week.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman assured his guest that the Aceh problem would be
\nresolved soon and convinced him not to hesitate in investing in
\nAceh or other parts of the country.<\/p>\n
"The signing in Geneva will become a starting point toward
\npeace for Aceh people. And the sultan was happy to obtain the
\nexplanation," said Alwi.<\/p>\n
The sultan promised to step up investment in Indonesia. He
\nalso offered scholarships for Indonesian students who want to
\nstudy in the oil industry in Brunei.<\/p>\n
Bolkiah left Jakarta on Saturday evening. (prb)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/brunei-and-ri-discuss-business-centers-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }